Planalto da Caotinha: we cannot sell the land and erase History

Opinion article by: Jorge Nunes

Caotinha Plateau: We Must Not Sell the Land and Erase History

Caotinha's archaeological heritage, landscape and tourism potential must be assessed before any land subdivision. Immediate revenue must not jeopardise what Benguela has yet to discover and appreciate.
Some decisions about land have consequences that extend far beyond the term of office of those who make them. Subdividing an area of archaeological interest, opening access routes and allowing construction can destroy, in just a few days, evidence that has endured for thousands of years and can never be recovered.
This concern must guide our approach to the Caotinha Plateau and the reported plans to divide it into plots for sale. Before boundaries are drawn, it is essential to establish what lies beneath the ground, what remains unexplored and what Benguela stands to lose.
The value of this territory goes far beyond its sea views. Evidence of chipped stone tools and fossil finds recorded there warrants careful scientific assessment. These discoveries cannot be dismissed as insignificant details in the face of the prospect of construction.


The prehistoric significance of Benguela's coastline is documented. A scientific study published in 2023 identifies Dungo, Mormolo, Sombreiro, Macaca and Ponta das Vacas among the sites that bear witness to ancient human occupations on the province's coastal terraces. This region helps us understand the relationship between early human groups and coastal environments.
The Palaeolithic, often referred to as the Old Stone Age, left tools and evidence of stone working that help researchers understand human behaviour, techniques and patterns of land occupation. Fossils, in turn, provide insights into past life forms and environments. Although these are distinct types of heritage, both require proper identification, documentation and protection.

Heavy machinery can destroy what science has not yet had the opportunity to examine

The problem cannot be solved by collecting a few stones or fossils before construction begins. The position of the materials, the layers in which they are found and the relationships between different traces are all part of the scientific evidence. An artefact may survive in a collection, but the context that allows us to understand it may be lost forever.
Protecting this heritage also means keeping certain areas available for future research. Not everything needs to be excavated immediately. New questions and methods may eventually reveal more about what we cannot yet interpret.
Existing scientific work must inform decisions about this coastline. The National Museum of Archaeology in Benguela participates in research with international partners. Since 2023, the Franco-Angolan Prehistoric Mission has been investigating the earliest hominins in the province's coastal areas, including excavations of stone-knapping workshops and fossil sites. This ongoing work reinforces the need to consult specialists before transforming the territory.


We must not confuse the location of individual archaeological sites with the entire plateau, nor assume that every plot has the same significance without a proper survey. This is precisely why the area must be assessed, mapped and planned before land subdivision and construction.
The example of Bentiaba, in Namibe, helps illustrate what is at stake. Research conducted under the PaleoAngola Project has revealed extraordinary palaeontological wealth, including fossils of mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, turtles and other animals. Bentiaba stands out particularly for its ancient marine ecosystems; mosasaurs and plesiosaurs were marine reptiles, not dinosaurs. This heritage has supported international research, training and scientific outreach.
The lesson for Benguela is clear: knowledge can enhance a territory's value and create reasons to visit it. However, this opportunity depends on safeguarding the resources that make it possible.
At Caotinha, scientific interest can be combined with hiking, interpretive trails, environmental education and ecotourism. Sombreiro and the area's viewpoints could form part of routes that bring visitors closer to the landscape and the natural and human history of this coastline.
With proper planning, trained guides and visitor regulations for sensitive sites, this offer could benefit local communities, tour operators, restaurants and accommodation providers. It presents an opportunity to generate sustained economic activity that deserves consideration before opting for the one-off revenue from land sales.

Caotinha must not become a patchwork of plots, walls and buildings without a vision for the area as a whole

The Municipal Administration of Navegantes must clarify the reported land subdivision: what area is covered, which plan supports it, what official assessments have been issued and how archaeological, palaeontological and landscape values have been taken into account. Was the National Museum of Archaeology consulted? Have areas of scientific interest been identified and safeguarded? Will access to trails and viewpoints remain available?


These questions require public answers. The absence of published assessments does not prove that none exist, but it prevents the public from evaluating the grounds for the decision.
If no adequate assessment has been carried out, I argue that the process should be suspended in potentially affected areas until the necessary surveys are completed. If reports already exist, they should be made public alongside the proposed protection measures.
The need to raise revenue cannot replace sound land-use planning. An administration must also be judged by its ability to safeguard resources, prevent irreversible damage and create lasting opportunities.
Benguela needs investment and development. It must also recognise that some areas of land have a value that remains to be discovered.
Before selling Caotinha off in plots, we must understand and protect what no amount of revenue can ever restore once it has been destroyed.