Heritage Management and Early Human Evolution: Melka Kunture as a Model for In Situ Musealisation in the Eastern African Rift

Melka Kunture and Balchit, Ethiopia, exemplify successful in situ musealisation for Pleistocene archaeological sites, offering a model that balances conservation, research, and public access. Unlike earlier experimental approaches at other eastern African sites—often characterized by direct exposure of surfaces and limited planning—this complex integrates landscape-scale interpretation, controlled visitor routes, multilingual outreach, high-resolution documentation, and strategic use of replicas. The site's recent UNESCO World Heritage inscription underscores its potential to make early human evolution heritage accessible without compromising scientific integrity.

Domínguez, A. S., Méndez-Quintas, E., Debalike, A., Aragie, T., Melis, R. T., Bello-Alonso, P., Mutri, G., Briatico, G., Altamura, F., & Mussi, M. (2026). Heritage Management and Early Human Evolution: Melka Kunture as a Model for In Situ Musealisation in the Eastern African Rift. Heritage, 9(6), 234. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9060234