Who's behind the news?
Who's behind the news?
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Newsjunkie.net is a resource guide for journalists. We show who's behind the news, and provide tools to help navigate the modern business of information.
Use of Data
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1.5.2
The Ethiopian Heritage Authority (EHA) is the successor institution to the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH), which itself evolved from earlier bodies including the Ethiopian Institute of Archaeology (established 1952) and the National Museum of Ethiopia (established 1944). Heritage administration in Ethiopia developed progressively through the 20th century, with formal legal frameworks established through a series of cultural heritage proclamations in 1966, 1989, 2000, and subsequent legislation. The EHA was constituted in its current form to consolidate heritage management under a unified authority.
EHA oversees Ethiopia's tangible and intangible cultural heritage, including archaeological sites, paleontological collections, historic monuments, manuscripts, ethnographic objects, and living heritage. It administers the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, which houses significant collections of fossils — including the celebrated australopithecine specimen known as Lucy — royal artifacts, traditional objects, and prehistoric finds. The Authority also holds archival documentation of thousands of registered cultural sites across the country.
A major focus of EHA's recent work has been the recovery of Ethiopian artifacts held abroad. In the five years preceding 2025, several cultural treasures were repatriated, including the armor of Emperor Tewodros II, the mantle of Ras Desta Damtew, and the Ethiopian Order of the Star. The Authority submits formal documentation to UNESCO as evidence for restitution claims and works through diplomatic channels to block international auction sales of Ethiopian artifacts. EHA actively promotes new UNESCO nominations for Ethiopian sites and intangible cultural practices, including the Ethiopian coffee ceremony, Al-Nejashi Mosque, and Enset culture.
EHA conducts and facilitates archaeological and paleontological research, manages national heritage inventories, and collaborates with international academic institutions including the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) and various universities. The Authority hosts an annual research conference and publishes proceedings on Ethiopian heritage topics. Public access to national museum collections is available at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.