The fieldwork at Kaingo Nature Reserve has officially concluded as researchers, led by Professor Lyn Wadley from Wits University’s Evolutionary Studies Institute, have decided not to continue excavating due to reaching a geological hiatus. According to Dr. Ghilraen Laue, the excavation site presented conditions that made further discoveries unlikely below the layers they had already uncovered.
With this decision, the team took careful steps to rehabilitate the excavation site. The trench was filled, restoring the landscape to ensure that no visible traces of the archaeological work remained. This step is crucial in preserving the natural integrity of the area while maintaining ethical excavation practices.
However, while the physical digging may be complete, the work is far from over. The team is now engaged in the meticulous process of cleaning, measuring, and analyzing their finds. Among the artifacts retrieved, smaller items have been washed and laid out to dry, preparing them for further examination.
One of the key steps in this post-excavation phase involves studying the chemical composition of the soil samples. Dr. Laue has been using an FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrometer to analyze differences in soil chemistry across different layers of the site. This data will provide valuable insights into past environmental conditions and human activities in the area.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rosa Moll from Wits University has been carefully measuring a stone tool using digital calipers, documenting its precise dimensions for further analysis. These detailed measurements will help researchers understand the technological skills and behaviours of the people who once inhabited the site.
Dr. Laue reflecting on the experience (pictured above with Professor Wadley) in front of the now-filled trench, marking the end of this phase of the research. The team’s findings will now undergo extensive analysis, contributing to a broader understanding of human history in the region.
As the researchers wrap up their work at Kaingo, the anticipation grows for what their analysis will reveal. Their findings will not only add to the archaeological record but also deepen our knowledge of ancient human activity in this significant landscape.
