Ghilraen Laue is once again in the Waterberg at a site called Dwaalhoek, this time joined by fellow museum archaeologist DimakatsoTlhoaele, both representing the Human Sciences Department from the Museum. They have joined Professor Lyn Wadley from the Evolutionary Studies Institute (ESI) at Wits University, along with her research team, which includes Dr Bongi Zwane from the University of Johannesburg and Dr Rosa Moll from ESI, Wits. This marks the fourth site they have excavated at the Kaingo Game Reserve. The team continues to uncover fascinating insights into the region’s rich archaeological and cultural history.
Read more here on the previous visit
from left to right: Rosa Moll, Ghilraen Laue, Dimakatso Tlhoaele, Bongi Zwane and Lyn Wadley
KAINGO RESEARCH CENTRE
While working on the excavation, our team is based at the Kaingo Research Centre. We’ve shared photos of the facilities in earlier posts, but it’s always worth showing again as it gives a sense of where the research is taking place.
Here’s a map of the research centre, and we’ll be adding more pictures along with a link to Kaingo for those who would like to learn more!
READ ALL ABOUT THEIR DAYS IN THE FIELD :
ALL ABOUT THE SITE
The site before setup was a hive of preparation. We had just carried all our equipment up and gathered as a team to decide exactly where to begin digging.
We have opened two squares for excavation. Because the site contains rock art, we’ve lined the area with geotextile to help minimise dust and protect these invaluable artworks.
Dr Rosa Moll stands by the EDM (Electronic Distance Measurer), which the team uses to accurately plot the position of each discovery within the site. This precise mapping helps ensure every find is recorded in its correct context for further study.
Close-up of the excavation square – showing the hearth feature uncovered during the dig. (BELOW)
Excavation trench on the final day of this year’s field season – the team has made great progress, but there’s still more to uncover when we return next year.
Protecting the trench – sandbags, geotextile, and rocks were used to safeguard the excavation from animals and the elements until the team returns.
WORKING ON THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY
On Heritage Day, our team was hard at work in the field, uncovering and recording the past.Here are a few photos capturing the work in progress. Dimakatso focused on excavating, while Bongi identified woody species from charcoal recovered at the site. Lyn documented the hearth feature in the east section through detailed photography, and Rosa carefully sorted through the sieved deposit. We were also joined by Wim Biemond from UNISA, who spent a few days with us and assisted with sieving the excavated material. Meanwhile, Ghilraen recorded remarkable Iron Age initiation art preserved on the shelter walls.
VISITING RESEARCHERS
French archaeologist and faunal specialist, Dr. Aurore Val (CNRS, France), joined us in the field and assisted with identifying some of the excavated bones.
Below: Wim Biemond, UNISA, joined the excavation for a couple of days. Here he is sieving the excavated material.
WILDFLIFE ON SITE
Working on a Big 5 game reserve means our trips to and from the site often come with some incredible animal sightings. From giraffe, elephant, and zebra along the way to a curious little gecko watching us work, the wildlife adds something truly special to our excavation experience.
SORTING AND STUDYING THE FINDS
During excavation, larger artefacts over 3 cm in length are carefully plotted using the EDM, while the remaining soil is sieved and sorted. Each find is then bagged according to type, whether bone, seed, stone, ostrich eggshell beads, and more, with detailed notes on the square and layer it came from. In the evenings, the team continues the work in the lab, sorting through the day’s finds and taking a closer look at unusual pieces such as worked bone or glass beads. Here in this colleage you can see Dimakatso washing some of the stone finds.
ROCK ART FINDINGS AT THE SITE
D-Stretch and Rock Art
D-Stretch is a digital enhancement technique used on rock art to make faint paintings and engravings more visible. It helps archaeologists see details that are often difficult to detect with the naked eye, revealing hidden patterns, pigments, and designs on ancient rock surfaces.
Just above the excavation area are the faint remnants of white animal paintings, created with finger painting. These artworks are believed to have been linked to Northern Sotho male initiation ceremonies in the past.
To the right of the excavation area is a small alcove containing faded Bushman rock art, which is barely visible without the use of D-Stretch. See the results with D-Stretch below.
OTHER FINDINGS
Eiland pottery recovered from the site is expected to date back around 1,000 years. Charcoal samples have been collected for carbon dating to help confirm its age.
A very small later stone age scraper (note the scale)
Ostrich eggshell bead in the process of being made. After drilling the holes the bead would be shaped and smoothed.
A complete ostrich eggshell bead
