Mphunzi rock art site

David Coulson and Gloria K. Borona joined colleagues from the Malawian Department of Antiquities  for a documentation exercise at the Chongoni World Heritage site from 01 -05 May, 2012. A total of 1,353 high resolution images were recorded at  Chentherere, Mphunzi,  Namzeze, Msana Ng'ombe,Diwa and  Phanga la Ngoni  rock art sites. Prior to this activity, Claire Dean of Dean & Associates Conservation Services in the USA  led  a Malawian  team in the  restoration of the Chentherere rock art site which had been badly damaged by graffiti (see before and after pictures).  The team also developed  a signage plan for the Chentherere, Mphunzi and Namzeze sites. All these activities were carried out within the framework of Antiquities/TARA joint project supported by the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.   On the mission were Medson Makuru, John Chilachila and Moses Mkumpha from Antiquities. They were also joined by Nhlanhla Nkobi who was representing RARI - Rock Art Research Institute  based in South Africa.

Left: Msana Ng'ombe rock art site

Chentcherere before graffiti removal

Namzeze rock art site

Chentcherere after graffiti removal

Phanga la Ngoni rock art site

Claire and Nhlanhla work at Chentcherere