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European Journal of Social Sciences Studies ISSN: 2501-8590 ISSN-L: 2501-8590 Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/soc doi: 10.5281/zenodo.1048417 Volume 2 │ Issue 7 │ 2017 ARCHAEOLOGY AND MUSEUM: WHAT STRATEGY FOR THE PROMOTION AND THE PROTECTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF ANCIENT IRON METALLURGY IN CÔTE D’IVOIREi Kiénon-Kaboré Timpoko Hélèneii Associate Professor in Archeology, ISAD, University Félix Houphouet-Boigny, Côte d’Ivoire Technical Adviser in charge of archaeological heritage at the Ministry of Culture and Francophonie of Côte d'Ivoire Abstract: In Côte d’Ivoire, the archaeological research conducted for more than years have revealed a rich archaeological heritage that includes various furniture remains and an enormous real estate property that integrates into human and environmental landscapes specific to each type of sites. Since 2010 research on ancient iron metallurgy in Côte d’Ivoire allowed the discovery of various technical heritage, majority of which consists of real estate remains as mining, reduction furnaces, slag heaps etc. The promotion of this specific technical heritage requires close collaboration between archaeologists, museum professionals and other heritage specialists. The state of Côte d’Ivoire has decided to finance the promotion of important sites of the technical heritage of the iron metallurgy to contribute to its protection, local tourism through community development. The problem is based on the strategy to set up for the promotion of this heritage in situ, which differs from the usual methodology of museum approach. This research on ancient iron metallurgy has been conducted with the financial support of: - The Switzerland-Liechtenstein Foundation for Abroad Archaeological Research (FSLA / SLSA); - The Strategic Supports Program for Scientific Research (PASRES) In collaboration with - The Department of Geoscience of Fribourg University in Switzerland, the Neuchâtel Institute of prehistory, the archeology laboratory of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) i ii Copyright © The Author(s). All Rights Reserved. © 2015 – 2017 Open Access Publishing Group 291 Kiénon-Kaboré Timpoko Hélène ARCHAEOLOGY AND MUSEUM: WHAT STRATEGY FOR THE PROMOTION AND THE PROTECTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF ANCIENT IRON METALLURGY IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE Keywords: technical, heritage, metallurgy, iron, strategy, museum, promotion, protection Resume: En Côte d'Ivoire, les recherches archéologiques menées depuis plus de 100 ans ont révélé un riche patrimoine archéologique composé de divers vestiges mobiliers et d'un énorme patrimoine immobilier qui s'intègre dans des paysages humains et environnementaux propres à chaque type de site. Depuis 2010, la recherche sur la métallurgie ancienne du fer en Côte d'Ivoire a permis la découverte de divers patrimoines techniques dont la majorité se compose de vestiges immobiliers comme les mines, les fours de réduction, les amas de scories etc. La promotion de ce patrimoine technique spécifique nécessite une étroite collaboration entre archéologues, les professionnels des musées et d'autres spécialistes du patrimoine. L'Etat de Côte d'Ivoire a décidé de financer la promotion des sites importants du patrimoine technique de la métallurgie du fer, pour contribuer à sa protection, au tourisme local à travers le développement communautaire. Le problème qui se pose est la stratégie à mettre pour la valorisation de ce patrimoine in situ, qui diffère de la méthodologie habituelle de l'approche muséale. Mots-clés: technique, patrimoine, métallurgie, fer, stratégie, musée, promotion, protection Introduction Archaeological heritage forms a complex with the natural environment in which it is integrated. This is as important as the material that composes it. Indeed, the environment is composed of the elements of nature and of all that is evidence of man, such as cultural heritage. The archaeological heritage is an important component of this cultural heritage. It is characterized in most cases by the diversity and specificity of the remains. The archaeological heritage may be movable artifacts or immovable sites. In Côte d’Ivoire, archaeological research has enabled the discovery of a variety of sites and remains. Movable artifacts are usually made available to the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d'Ivoire for their protection and conservation or deposited in the laboratories of research centers. Much of the archaeological heritage is made up of immovable sites whose enhancement and protection pose real problems. The technical heritage of the ancient iron metallurgy is characteristic of sites. Indeed, sites consist of a variety of remains that are left in situ after the research. These are iron mine shafts, refuse heaps European Journal of Social Sciences Studies - Volume 2 │ Issue 7 │ 2017 292 Kiénon-Kaboré Timpoko Hélène ARCHAEOLOGY AND MUSEUM: WHAT STRATEGY FOR THE PROMOTION AND THE PROTECTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF ANCIENT IRON METALLURGY IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE (mainly slag and nozzles), and iron ore smelting furnaces whose diversity reflects that of the forms of technical traditions. How can these sites and assets be promoted and protected in a country where archeology is often ignored and misunderstood by much of the population? What strategies can be used for the enhancement and protection of this heritage in situ? For viewing / downloading the full article, please access the following link: https://oapub.org/soc/index.php/EJSSS/article/view/241 European Journal of Social Sciences Studies - Volume 2 │ Issue 7 │ 2017 293