The Mehlman archives and the archaeology of Nasera rockshelter, Tanzania
Archives are increasingly recognized as a critical element in archaeological research in eastern Africa and elsewhere that, unlike excavation, are a non-destructive source of information. However, the utility of any archive is dependent in part on its availability. We report here on the recent recov...
Gardado en:
| Publicado en: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/afriques, |
|---|---|
| Auteurs principaux: | , , |
| Formato: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Idioma: | Anglais |
| Publicado: |
Afriques
2026
|
| Sujets: | |
| Acceso en liña: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Résumé: | Archives are increasingly recognized as a critical element in archaeological research in eastern Africa and elsewhere that, unlike excavation, are a non-destructive source of information. However, the utility of any archive is dependent in part on its availability. We report here on the recent recovery of the archives of Michael J. Mehlman, who excavated at multiple important archaeological sites in northern Tanzania. Establishing clear plans for preservation, documentation, and data sharing are underway. In this article, archive materials from Mehlman’s work at the Middle and Later Stone Age site of Nasera rockshelter provide a starting point to assess the collection and its research potential and to gain a better understanding of the 1975–1976 excavations. Like other sites in eastern Africa, archaeological investigations at Nasera follow an approximate 42-year research cycle, emphasizing the need to preserve this collection and those that follow from it for future scholarly generations. |
|---|