The Tension between Communities, Development, and Archaeological Heritage Preservation. The Case Study of Tengzug Cultural Landscape, Ghana

Abstract

The relationship between traditional beliefs, worldview, heritage conservation, and archaeological investigation is a complex one. This is considered with reference to perceptions of the landscape and the conflict which can occur between government policy and indigenous beliefs in relation to architecture amongst the Tallensi communities of Tengzug in Northern Ghana. It is evident that both tangible and intangible elements constitute heritage in Tengzug and this needs to be recognized by researchers, heritage professionals and government bodies charged with implementing development policies.