Emseni: Visiting researcher investigating the Early Iron Age in KwaZulu-Natal

Visiting Researcher, Kefilwe Rammutloa, PhD candidate at Yale University, has spent the last six weeks in the Department of Human Sciences at the KwaZulu-Natal Museum analyzing pottery and other archaeological finds from Emseni, near Weenan. This Early Iron Age, dating to around 1400 years ago, was excavated earlier this year by Kefilwe Rammutloa with the assistance of archaeologists from the Museum. Her research investigates the when, where, how, and why questions relating to the way of life of Early Iron Age farmers in the province.

Kefilwe Rammutloa (centre) explaining the decoration techniques used on one of the excavated pot sherds to Dimakatso Tlhoaele, Research Technician, and Mbali Maduna and Anele Bhengu, Department of Human Sciences volunteers (left to right).

Mbali Maduna and Anele Bhengu washing pot sherds from the excavation. The pottery pieces need to be cleaned before the different styles of decoration are analyzed.

The reconstruction and technical drawing are an important aspect of ceramic analysis.