Excavation in the Waterberg
24 September 2023
South Africans celebrate Heritage Day in various ways. Dr Ghilraen Laue, Department of Human Sciences, KZN Museum, Professor Lyn Wadley and Dr Rosa Moll, Evolutionary Studies Institute, Wits University, and Dr Chrissie Sievers, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, Wits University, are spending Heritage Day excavating a rock shelter in the Waterberg, Limpopo Province. The site preserves the rich and extensive archaeological heritage of the northern parts of South Africa, dating from the Earlier Stone Age to our very recent past. The team will be excavating for the next few weeks so look out for updates on further discoveries.
Dr Ghilraen Laue excavating in the shelter and holding an Earlier Stone Age artefact found on the slope below
A tiny Later Stone Age artefact excavated in the shelter
Spring has come to the Waterberg
Dr Rosa Moll with a large flake from the Earlier Stone Age
Sorting the excavated material27 September 2023
Phalantwa Montlha, Ghilraen Laue and Nyiko Khambana
Museum professionals frequently come together to contribute their expertise and collaborate on fieldwork, enriching our collective understanding of heritage and history. Phalantwa Montlha (chief curator) and Nyiko Khambana (expert officer, heritage), both archaeologists from Polokwane Museums joined Dr Ghilraen Laue from our Department of Human Sciences and the rest of the team on their excavation of a rock shelter in the Waterberg, Limpopo Province.
29 September 2023
Wim Biemond holding some of the pottery from the surface collection at the siteWim Biemond, a distinguished expert in Iron Age pottery, collaborated with the team during his visit to the Waterberg rock shelter in Limpopo Province. His preliminary findings indicate that the pottery at the site dates between 1000 and 1300AD. He also identified an Indo-Pacific red/brown glass bead of similar date.
1 October 2023
The excavation is progressing well with many interesting finds.
Dr Laue and Professor Wadley excavating the 2x1 m trench.
Amongst the Later Stone Age finds are ostrich eggshell beads and grooved stones used for smoothing the beads to a uniform size and shape.
2 October 2023
Dr Matt Lotter, University of Johannesburg, assessing a surface scatter of Earlier Stone Age artefacts downslope from the site we are excavating. The scatter contains large cores and flakes made on local quartzite that date to more than half a million years ago.
4 October 2023
There is no rock art in the excavated shelter, but there is an extensively painted site close by. This site was first recorded in 2001. The sheltered position means the art is relatively well preserved.
Part of a larger painted panel of human and animal figures.
Another panel at the site that has been enhanced using DStretch. A large monster-like human figure is surrounded by smaller figures and flying arrows.
Survey opportunities were limited by the dangers of working on a Big Five game reserve, but two new rock art sites were found in nearby rock outcrops. The first site had a painting of a faded antelope. The second, relatively well-preserved, site is shown below.
A group of five male figures holding pick-like implements and a partly preserved antelope above.
A close-up of the second to last figure from the left.
5 October 2023
The present field season is over. The team did not reach bedrock and plans to be back next year for another excavation season and more exciting finds. The excavation trench was lined with geotextile and filled with sandbags to keep it safe until they return.
Professor Lyn Wadley and Dr Ghilraen Laue and the now covered excavation trench.
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