 doi: 10.13133/2280-6148/18185 Journal of Mediterranean Earth Sciences 15 (2023), 443-453 Journal of Mediterranean Earth Sciences When a rural community defnes itself through an archeological site: the case of Melka Kunture (Ethiopia) Flavio Altamura 1 , Luca Di Bianco 1 , Margherita Mussi 1,2, * 1 Italo-Spanish Archeological Mission at Melka Kunture and Balchit, SAPIENZA Università di Roma, Roma, Italy 2 ISMEO - The International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies Palazzo Baleani, Roma, Italy * Corresponding author: margherita.mussi@fondazione.uniroma1.it ABSTRACT - Melka Kunture is a cluster of Pleistocene sites discovered in 1963, located 50 km south of Addis Ababa on the Ethiopian highlands. Since then, annual archeological research has always involved a number of local workers from the nearby village of Awash. Tis collaboration led to the development of a team of workers specialized in archeological investigations. Meanwhile, a deep sense of pride and awareness also developed the local community at large, that has borne fruits in terms of recognition and protection of the archeological site. A small museum was built and eventually expanded, and some archeological areas were also lef open for visitors. Te candidature of the site to World Heritage List will be discussed by the UNESCO Committee in 2024. Expectations run high in the Awash community, which proudly recognizes the archeological site as a means to improve the importance and visibility of the area. Keywords: Melka Kunture, archeological excavations, Prehistory, museology, local communities ______________________________ Submitted: 29 July 2023 -Accepted: 1 August 2023 1. INTRODUCTION Melka Kunture, located approximately 50 km south of Addis Ababa, is a cluster of prehistoric sites at 2000 m above sea level on the Ethiopian highlands, along the upper course of the Awash River (Fig. 1) (Chavaillon and Piperno, 2004; Mussi et al., 2022). It was discovered in 1963 by Gerard Dekker, a Dutch hydrogeologist, who reported the artifacts he had found to the Ethiopian Institute of Archaeology. Arrangements were made, and shortly aferward Gérard Bailloud, a French prehistorian, systematically surveyed the area, collecting thousands of lithic artifacts and paleontological remains. Ten, in 1965, the French archeologist and geologist Jean Chavaillon (1921-2013) started investigating the area and was soon impressed by the extent and richness of the prehistoric deposits. More than 70 archeological outcrops, over an area of about 80 km 2 , have been tested or excavated to- date, providing evidence of human evolution over 2 million years (Ma). Oldowan, Acheulean, Middle Stone Age (MSA), and Late Stone Age (LSA) horizons are all documented - i.e., the archeological sequence spans most of the Lower Pleistocene, Middle Pleistocene, Upper Pleistocene, and Holocene. Te discovery immediately aroused scientifc interest. At that time these eras were the foci of major research on human origins, which was starting to focus on Africa, but Paleolithic sites were little known in Ethiopia. Melka Kunture soon ranked amongst the most important, and many scholars such as Mary Leakey, Louis Leakey, and Glynn Isaac paid a visit. Te government’s attitude was benevolent and even openly favorable, even if there was at frst some resistance from the local Coptic clergy, which was eventually overcome. Emperor Haile Selassie himself showed an interest in Ethiopian prehistory out of personal curiosity and of national prestige, visiting the excavations in 1970 (Fig. 2). Te following year, the emperor presided over the VIIth Panafrican Congress of Prehistory and Quaternary Studies, organized in the Ethiopian capital. A scientifc excursion was organized allowing the congress participants to visit Melka Kunture. Te archeological mission at Melka Kunture, French- led and headed by Chavaillon, ofcially started in 1967. It was international and interdisciplinary, cooperating with Ethiopian institutions. Tis facilitated the acquisition of some privately-owned archeological areas for the public domain. Te French mission, active until 1999, was only interrupted during the period of the Derg (1982-1993). Te socialist regime banned archeological excavations by foreign institutions and research focused instead on