Book: Conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage in Kenya: A Cross-Disciplinary Approach
Edited by Anne-Marie Deisser and Mugwima Njuguna
Publisher: UCL Press
Publication date: October 07, 2016
Language: English
Paperback: 274 pages
ISBN/ASIN: 9781910634844
Cultural and natural heritage are particularly valuable in Kenya. Its pre-historic heritage not only tells the story of man’s origin and evolution but it has also contributed to the understanding of the earth’s history: the National Museums of Kenya have uncovered and conserved fossils and artifacts dating back over 27 million years. Alongside this, the steady rise in the market value of African art has also affected Kenya. Demand for African tribal art has surpassed that for antiquities of Roman, Byzantine, and Egyptian origin, and in African countries currently experiencing conflicts, this activity invariably attracts looters, traffickers and criminal networks.
This book brings together essays by heritage experts from various backgrounds, including conservation, heritage management, museum studies, archaeology, environment and social sciences, architecture and landscape, geography, philosophy, and economics, to explore three key themes: the underlying ethics, practices, and legal issues of heritage conservation; the exploration of Nairobi’s architectural and urban heritage; and the natural heritage, landscapes, and sacred sites. It thus presents an overview of conservation practices in Kenya from 2000 to 2015, emphasizing the role of natural and cultural heritage as a key factor of social and economic development, and as a potential instrument for conflict resolution.
