Abstract

Chiremba balancing rocks, Epworth, Harare, Zimbabwe was declared a national monument in 1994 on the basis of its unique physical rock formations, magnificent scenery and archaeological and scientific richness, comprising a rich corpus of biodiversity and rock paintings. Both direct and indirect human impacts leading to different levels of degradation or even destruction of this archaeological site have been witnessed in the past 100 years. These involved destruction of vegetation, breaking up the rocks and deliberate damage of the rock paintings. This study presents some of the important arguments for conserving the site and its natural resources. An account of the vegetation of Chiremba Balancing Rocks is presented. A botanical inventory of Chiremba Balancing Rocks is an initial step in documenting the natural resources of this national monument. Findings of this study are based on archaeological and vegetation surveys carried out in 1996 and 2007. Conservation and preservation of Chiremba Balancing Rocks is proposed based on archaeological and floristic evidence.

Key words: Archaeology, botanical inventory, conservation, miombo woodland, rock paintings, Zimbabwe.

Abbreviation

PRA, Participatory rural appraisal; WAC4, fourth world archaeological congress; CBD, convention on biological diversity; NMMZ, National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe.