Alma Mekondjo Nankela

"Namibia is one of the key Southern African country with an extensive wealth of archaeological heritage and the densest concentration has been recorded in the central region of Erongo with more than 400 archaeological sites harbouring over 65000 known ancient rock paintings and engravings."

"Studies have revealed a systematic outright destructive actions inflicted on this fragile heritage landscape as a result of mining, on the large and small scale, activities involving outright destruction of archaeological sites and disruption of its landscape, meanwhile the country’s situation has been exacerbated further by other anthropogenic activities emanating from increased tourism and uncontrolled access to archaeological sites in Erongo, the Society concluded."

"I think most people think that you’re almost born to be an archaeologist. I wasn’t that kid who played in a sandbox and dreamed of being a future archaeologist. My own experiences and interests were different."

"I would often sit around the soldiers guarding our camp and curiously and constantly question them about life outside the camp. I wanted to see it for myself and often contemplated an escape out the camp one day unnoticed to see what was out there but my fear of the forests stopped me."

"Many people may find archaeology to be incomprehensible and a tedious thing of the past, I am convinced that anyone who makes the effort to understand it will realise that it’s a rewarding experience, because these prehistoric remnants carry messages that are universal in the fullest sense of the word."