In the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee taking place from July 21-31, 2024 in New Delhi, India, Ethiopia’s Melka Kunture and Balchit Archeological and Paleontological Site has been nominated for inclusion on the prestigious World Heritage List.
Melka Kunture, as it can be seen today, is part of a gently undulating landscape of the Upper Awash Valley, in the highlands of Ethiopia, at c. 2000m asl. All over the Upper Pliocene and the Pleistocene, tectonic activities led to the deepening of the demi-graben depression were the meandering paleo-Awash deposited alluvia. Through time, parts of the paleo-landscape were buried again and again, blanketed both by alluvial deposits, and by volcanic deposits produced by the nearby volcanoes. Accordingly, past surfaces, littered with archaeological implement and prehistoric animal remains, were covered by sediments and escaped destruction. They are now evidenced by natural erosion on the banks of the little gullies of the local tributaries of the Awash.
Archaeological excavations allowed for the recovery of the prehistoric heritage and of related scientific information. More than 80 archaeological layers have been identified during 50 years of archaeological research; 30 of them have been extensively excavated over surfaces ranging from 50m² to 250m². Tens of thousands of lithic tools, faunal and sometime human remains (Homo erectus sensu lato and archaic Homo sapiens) have been discovered. Many more are preserved in an area of more than 100 km², and wait for future research and for future generations of scholars.
If approved by the World Heritage Committee, Melka Kunture and Balchit would become Ethiopia’s 13th site inscribed on the World Heritage List, joining other notable locations like the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, the Simien National Park, and the Konso Cultural Landscape. The decision on Melka Kunture’s inscription is expected to be made during the committee’s session in late July.
