Archaeology in Mozambique: Current Issues and Topics in Archaeology and Heritage Management

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Archaeology in Mozambique: Current Issues and Topics in Archaeology and Heritage Management" at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Mozambique is a country that boasts a unique diversity in both archaeological heritage and history. Given its location in East Africa, many cultural horizons present in the region can be found in archaeological sites across the country. From the Early Stone Age rockshelters and open-air sites in all regions of the country, to Swahili Coast ruins along the coast—not to mention historical sites related to Portuguese colonialism—Mozambique offers a vast array of historical topics of study. With this diversity in cultural heritage, and a growing interest in various research topics, the importance of the protection and conservation of this archaeological material—both land and sea—has become a pressing matter. This session is organized as a broad overview of current research topics within the growing field of Mozambican archaeology. The aim is not only to demonstrate the wide breath of topics in the field but also identify common themes in both current and future research, while also identifying threats to Mozambican heritage. Our goal is to produce a working consensus regarding lingering issues and questions for archaeologists working in Mozambique.