Kenyan Universities Encouraged to Offer Underwater Archaeology Courses.
Kenyan universities are being encouraged to introduce underwater archaeology courses to train specialists capable of exploring the country’s extensive underwater cultural heritage.
Dr. Caesar Bita, Head of Coastal Archaeology at the National Museums of Kenya, highlighted the need for local expertise in this field, noting that Kenya’s rich underwater heritage in the Indian Ocean holds immense potential for cultural tourism and foreign exchange.
Dr. Bita lamented the severe shortage of underwater archaeologists in Kenya, stating that he remains the only professional in this area, having studied the discipline abroad.
Although he has trained a few young people, he emphasized that the current number is insufficient.
To address this gap, he called on Kenyan universities to integrate underwater archaeology into their curricula, leveraging existing programs such as history, geography, anthropology, marine science, and land archaeology.
He stressed that such an initiative would make the field more accessible and affordable for students, as pursuing the discipline abroad is prohibitively expensive.
Institutions like Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi, which already offer related courses, were identified as suitable for incorporating underwater archaeology into their programs.
Recent Research and Artifact Recovery
Dr. Bita’s remarks came after delivering a lecture on Kenya’s underwater cultural heritage at the Malindi Heritage Complex in Kilifi County.
The event, attended by local community members and museum stakeholders, featured a discussion on the Ngomeni Shipwreck, a Portuguese vessel believed to have sunk off Ngomeni shores in 1524.
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Over the past two weeks, Dr. Bita led a team of underwater archaeologists and divers in investigating the shipwreck, recovering various historical artifacts.
He expressed optimism that training more local experts would enhance the research and preservation of Kenya’s underwater archaeological sites.
Dr. Bita appealed to the government to support the initiative by sponsoring students to study underwater archaeology.
Susan Mtakai, Head of Search and Rescue at the Kenya Coast Guard, echoed his sentiments, encouraging Kenyan youths to pursue underwater archaeology as part of the Blue Economy. She assured them of support from the Kenya Coast Guard in this endeavor.
Boost to Tourism and Heritage Awareness
The discovery of the Ngomeni Shipwreck is expected to boost cultural tourism in the Malindi region.
Doris Kamuye, Curator of the Malindi Museum, noted that the establishment of an underwater museum at the site would complement existing heritage attractions, such as the Gedi National Monument, which was recently declared a world heritage site.
Anne Robertson, founder of the Malindi Museum Society, underscored the historical significance of the shipwreck, noting that it demonstrated Malindi’s role in global trade.
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She expressed hope that this discovery would challenge misconceptions about the region’s historical importance.
This push for underwater archaeology in Kenya seeks to uncover and preserve the country’s maritime history while fostering education, tourism, and economic growth.
Kenyan Universities Encouraged to Offer Underwater Archaeology Courses.
