Conservation and Protection of the Built Cultural Heritage in the Former German Colonies in the Late 19th Century

There is little documentation on the management and preservation of indigenous built cultural heritage in the former German colonial territories during the German colonial period (approx. 1880-1920), especially when compared to the practices of other European colonial powers. This is partly because Germany became a colonial power later than most European nations and was such for a relatively short period. Additionally, with the exception of China, the territories under German rule contained few built cultural heritage sites considered valuable from a European perspective. This essay aims to give a brief history of the German colonial presence in several parts of the world, mentioning various heritage remains still existing there.