The research team has officially returned this week to the Waterberg, continuing their important fieldwork at the excavation site. Regular updates and images from the field will be shared as the work progresses.
Upon arrival this morning, the team was pleased to find the site exactly as it had been left at the end of the previous field season, secure and undisturbed. The first task was to carefully remove the protective rocks and sandbags that had been placed over the excavation trench to safeguard it between research periods.
With the site successfully cleared and set up, excavations resumed this afternoon. The team is the same group that conducted fieldwork during the September/October 2025, bringing continuity and valuable experience back to the project.
As part of their work in the reserve, the team has now added magnetic research panels to their vehicle, making it easier for visitors to identify their presence and understand the purpose of their activities in the area.
Belowyou can see how the excavation has been extended beyond the original 2 × 1 m grid.
Wim Biemond, UNISA Archaeology Division, specialising in Iron Age archaeology, joined the group for three days.
Below: Dr Ghilraen Laue from the KZN Museum
Bewlow: Dr Rosa Moll from ESI, Wits
Below: Professor Lyn Wadley from the Evolutionary Studies Institute at Wits University and Dr Bongi Zwane from the University of Johannesburg
Below: Dimakatso Tlhoaele from the KZN Museum sorting through material
23 April
Access the site was restricted for a few days due to flooding at the bridge, so the focus shifted to lab work at the Kongo research facility. Over the past two days, the team have been back on site and made the most of the time, excavating as much material as possible in case access is disrupted again. This ensures they have plenty to sort and analyse back in the lab.
