One state archeologist for 825 615km2 of Namibia

Jeanette Diergaardt



Maintaining archaeological cultural heritage, archiving and curating, maintaining and monitoring archaeological inventories, doing project management, implementing priorities as well as monitoring progress with an institutional strategic plan are only some of the duties that Dr. Alma Mekondjo Nankela has to deal with.

The compliance to UNESCO conventions and implementing various agreements and all internationally recognized laws to the Namibian dynamics is another important aspect that Alma focus her attention on. Advising the Namibian Government about the right scientific procedures, the conserving and managing as well as education on archaeology.

As the only state archaeologist in the country with the workload on top of everything, being underpaid although one has adequate qualification is one of the various challenges that Nankela faces. She however, lives by the words of John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can for you – ask what you can do for your country.” According to Nankela she naively thought that she can change the status quo for archaeologists in the country. Commenting and saying that archaeology is not for everyone as working conditions can be harsh at times.

“The discipline allows us deconstruct and reconstruct our past,” says Nankela after sharing that when she started with the subject in class it has inspired and motivated her to pursue the field. She says that the discipline can be more than just research but is fun, adventurous and can serve as a hobby or a career.

Qualifications Needed

Dr. Nankela started out pursuing a degree in education, majoring in Geography and History where the archaeological bug bit her in class. Her passion and hard work led to her receiving a highly competitive international European scholarship to pursue her master’s degree in Quaternary and Prehistory from the Ferarra University in Italy as well as the Museum Nationale d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris, France. With her drive in place she then further continued to obtain a double titled PHD in the same fields she did her Maters degree in. “Master’s and Doctoral will afford you more opportunities as an archaeologist,” says Nankela.

With her extensive knowledge and experience, according to Nankela archaeologists are inquisitive, imaginative and creatives but are often loners. “We are strongly driven by, passion, drive, curiosity patients and critical thinking,” says Nankela after mentioning that these are character traits, she also noticed in a formal student of Unam, Jophine Job.

Different Projects

“Most projects I’m working on dates as far back as 8 years ago,” says Nankela. Her scientific research includes projects in the Brandberg and Spitzkoppe mountains as well as in the Kuiseb river. A topical issue in Namibia are reparations that she also assists in especially handling and managing human remains through the National Committee that she is a chairperson of. Besides her day to day duties as a archaeologist she provides scientific talks in an effort to create and raise awareness on the state of Namibian archaeology.