Zimpapers Logo

The Herald July 9, 1994 

The National Museum and Monuments of Zimbabwe are to run archaeology and heritage courses for education officers as a pilot project for the establishment of the course in Sadc countries. 

All the education officers within the five museum regions in Zimbabwe will from September be trained in archaeology and heritage education to enhance their understanding of museums and monuments. 

The officers who were trained in general education will then target their energies on imparting their new knowledge to schoolteachers. The course would be running from September into March next year. 

Museums executive director Mr Dawson Munjari yesterday said in an interview that the courses would be run by officers from the English Heritage, the museums organisation in England, and staff from the archaeology departments at the University of Zimbabwe and University of Southampton. 

Lessons for Today 

 Archaeology plays a real and vital role in today’s world, although its valuable lessons and benefits can seem removed from everyday life. 

Archaeology’s potential for fostering more intelligent, involved, global citizens is considerable. In classrooms, learning about archaeology helps students  develop various skills across  many disciplines, including  critical thinking. 

The combination of heritage and archaeology studies help to develop an awareness of inter-cultural influences and exchanges between different culture groups, and the mechanisms through which these operated in the past. 

The study of archaeology and heritage in schools can be used to fight the increasing problem of damage to archaeological remains, as a result of vandalism, looting, unscientific digging, insensitive development, destruction from natural forces, or simple neglect, by promoting a sense of responsibility and stewardship of the cultural heritage. 

It is further recognised that teaching prehistory can lessen stereotypical views about people who lived in the past, influencing students’ consideration of other people and their heritage.