S A N a n d S T O N E A G E S I T E S
T h e D i e p k l o o f R o c k S h e l t e r , E l a n d s B a y
The intentionally engraved ostrich eggshells found at this site date from around 60,000 years ago, telling us of human ability to conceptualise.
The site contains rock art by the San and Khoekhoe.
It is a Provincial Heritage Site with an application for World Heritage Site being undertaken.
The site is on The Artist’s Journey, part of the Cradle of Human Culture. Further information: www.cradleofhumanculture.co.za/diepkloof
The site contains rock art by the San and Khoekhoe.
It is a Provincial Heritage Site with an application for World Heritage Site being undertaken.
The site is on The Artist’s Journey, part of the Cradle of Human Culture. Further information: www.cradleofhumanculture.co.za/diepkloof
A g t e r C e d e r b e r g – S e v i l l a R o c k A r t T r a i l ( T r a v e l l e r s ' R e s t )
In a remarkably short distance, something like 2.5km, along a riverbed, dry in summer, exists a vast panoply of images, accurately depicting the life of the hunter gatherer San; from the wildlife extant at the time to hunters in action, and a marvellously celebratory group of women dancing.
D i e M o n d , T a n k w a K a r o o
Die Mond is a special location: buried deep in the heart of the arid, harsh Tankwa Karoo the Doring River widens, forming an invaluable water source. Along the eroded banks are a series of overhangs and caves, filled with imaginative works depicting the fauna that existed (existed as it was mostly eradicated by the 'advanced' settlers).
K a s t e e l b e r g , S w a r t l a n d
High on the slopes of Kasteelberg is an overhang containing images left by the Khoekhoen. There are a couple of curiosities regarding the site. Firstly, its location, near the apex of the mountain (which at 966m is marginally lower than Table Mountain) and devoid of a water source. Why would these people have ascended to such an altitude to imprint their views? And a number of circles are painted, with apparent 'dripping' – what could this record?
On the lower slopes of the same mountain is a rock 'sentinel', with a concave surface, offering some protection from the elements. Painted on this are a number of depictions of animals, including eland, a creature revered by the San. The view from the site is across the 'Valley' floor where these beasts would have roamed; today obviously agricultural.
W o n d e r w e r k C a v e , N o r t h e r n C a p e
The Wonderwerk Cave was formed as an ancient solution cavity in dolomite rocks, exposed by erosion, of the Kuruman Hills, situated between Danielskuil and Kuruman in the Northern Cape. Accumulated deposits inside the cave, up to 7m in depth, reflect natural sedimentation processes contain evidence of activities of animals, birds and humans (through the Earlier, Middle and Later Stone Ages to the present) over a period of some 2 million years. Evidence within the cave has revealed the oldest controlled use of fire. Rock art occurs within the first 40m from the entrance, possibly all less than 1,000 years old, and small engraved stones found within the deposit, mainly from the Later Stone Age sequence where they date back some 10,500 years.