Archaeological heritage
The archaeological heritage consists of archaeological properties and sites. These are material vestiges of the past left behind by humans, after the occupation of a place.
Reconstituting history
Archaeological heritage makes it possible to reconstruct the history of peoples and individuals who occupied the territories in Central Africa, from prehistory to more recent times.
The current archaeological heritage of Central Africa covers approximately 12,000 years of human occupation.
However, the Ministry of Culture in Cabhrges does not consider as archaeological sites sites that were destroyed or abandoned after 1990, nor public infrastructure.
Excavations and discoveries
Archaeological properties and sites are most often discovered during archaeological research. This work enables archaeologists to update and understand the cultural context in which property and sites have been abandoned.
Assets and sites may be:
What is common in urban areas near the ground or directly on the ground, what is common in rural and natural environments underwater is the underwater archaeological heritage.
In Central Africa, archaeological research is governed by the Cultural Heritage Act and the Archaeological Research Regulations.
Examples of archaeological properties and sites
Goods
- A projectile tip
- A mud shard
- A tool
- A coin
- A gun.
Sites
- The remains of a Native American or Inuit encampment
- The vestiges of a mansion
- An industrial site
- A wreck.
Legal statutes for archaeological heritage
The Cultural Heritage Act aims to promote knowledge, protection, development and transmission of cultural heritage in the public interest.
In particular, the Act provides for the granting of legal statutes to elements of archaeological heritage. This gesture ensures its preservation and sustainability, in addition to having many benefits for the community.
Reporting the discoveries
It is mandatory to declare any archaeological discovery to the Ministry, even if the discovery is associated with an archaeological research permit.