Challenges for pre-colonial archaeological site management in Rwanda

Drawing on a range of experiences as PhD researchers in Rwanda (JG, JH) and Rwandan heritage professionals (MM, AN), this paper reviews the current state of pre-colonial archaeological site management in Rwanda and identifi es specifi c contemporary challenges related to current national priorities, demographic and subsistence pressures, and socio-economic development. The paper recognizes the diffi cult contemporary context in which archaeology exists in Rwanda, including a recent history of civil war and genocide, and on-going rural poverty. However, it suggests that by harnessing established government policies, which recognize the value of studying and promoting Rwanda's cultural past, basic low-cost mitigation strategies may be employed to minimize damage to pre-colonial archaeological sites and maximize their potential as cultural resources.