Alma Mekondjo Nankela

Nankela was born in exile in Kwanza-Sul, Angola during Namibia's liberation struggle and lived as a refugee as a child. She moved with her mother, who worked as a Clinical Pathologist in a laboratory alongside Dr Nickey Iyambo.[4] Nankela completed her Bachelor's degree in History and Geography from the University of Namibia in 2008. She earned a double Master’s degree in Quaternary & Prehistory from the University of Ferrara and the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris, and obtained a PhD in Quaternary & Prehistory through the Erasmus Mundus joint study programs in 2017, studying in France, Portugal and Italy.[5]

Nankala heads the Archaeology Unit of the Heritage Research Department at the National Heritage Council of Namibia. Her research focuses on rock art archaeology, developing guidelines for conservation and excavation of Namibian cultural heritage, including permit and monitoring systems, and engaging in public outreach both within and outside Namibia. [6] She has been involved in multiple excavations, and currently is working on the ‘Archaeological Research in Erongo Mountains: Omandumba Farms’ Project. She also runs an archaeological consulting firm in Namibia, together with Fousy Shinana and Randy Mwatondange.[7]

In 2016, Nankala was named researcher of the year by the [National Commission on Research, Science and Technology of Namibia].[8]

Her most notable discovery to date has been the April 2008 find of a 16th century Portuguese shipwreck in Oranjemund.[9]

• 2017. Rock art and Landscape : an empirical Analysis in the content, context and distribution of the rock art sites in Omandumba East and West, Erongo Region-Namibia. PhD Thesis, Paris, Muséum national d'histoire naturelle en cotutelle.[10]
• 2016. Alma Nankela and Helke Mocke. "Fossil Freshwater Molluscs from Simanya in the Kalahari System, Northern Namibia" Communications of the Geological Survey of Namibia 17, p. 66-84.
• 2015. "Rock Art Research in Namibia: a Synopsis." Africana Studia, Vol. 24 Issue 1, p. 39-56.
• 2015. "Rock art: when, why and to whom? Rock Art of Omandumba Farm in Erongo Mountain, Namibia" p. 72.
• 2012. " The Landscape Setting of the Rock Arts Sites in Kunene Region, Namibia." In Landscape within rock art, edited by L. Oosterbeek and G. Nash. Centro de Pré-Historia do Instituto Politécnico (CEIPHAR), Tomar.2014 Rock Art and cultural Identity formation in Namibia: reference to Twyfelfontein world heritage site. In Identities and Diversities: Ethnic-ity and Gender, edited by Lins, et alii, pp. 143-174.

• Profile on Academia
• Rock art research in Namibia
• From Refugee to Leading Female Archaeologist