Green Economy Journal Issue 63

Guests Stumble Upon
Archaeological Find:
Guests Stumble Upon
Archaeological Find:
STONE STONE AGE AGE POTTERY POTTERY
Under the guidance of Waseefa Dhansay, Heritage Western Cape’s Assistant Director of Professional
Services, and following an initial inspection of the site and surrounds, the team carefully retrieved the pot,
along with associated lithics from the immediate area, as these help to provide context for the Khoekhoe
pot and further insights into the site’s collective narrative. Once the pot was safely secured, the team went
on to comb the surrounds for any further signs of the Khoekhoen and were rewarded with a rock art site
just a few metres away, containing handprints, likely made using traditional ochre-based pigment.
The initial investigation revealed that the pot is an
amphora-shaped vessel with a restricted neck, a
curved and pointed base, and two intact horizontally
pierced ears, identifying it as a functional vessel.
The pot is considered to be in exceptional condition,
and remarkably intact, apart from one minor hole
and significant hairline fractures that have formed
over time.
Believed to have been used as a cooking pot, that
would have been placed and balanced directly on
the coals of a firepit, as evidenced by the charring on
the bottom, Heritage Western Cape advised against
carbon-dating the artefact as the process would
potentially damage the pot, and said that, given
past studies in the Cederberg region, the artefacts
found likely range between 500 to 8000 years old.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime A Discovery at Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve
The numerous rock art sites dotted across the Kagga They soon stumbled upon an incredible discovery: a
The numerous rock art sites dotted across the Kagga They soon stumbled upon an incredible discovery: a
Kamma Nature Reserve landscape provide vivid Khoi ceramic pot, believed to be from the Late
Kamma Nature Reserve landscape provide vivid Khoi ceramic pot, believed to be from the Late
evidence of the lives, worldview, and fascinating social Stone Age period, and lauded as an exceptionally
evidence of the lives, worldview, and fascinating social Stone Age period, and lauded as an exceptionally
and spiritual beliefs of the Stone Age hunter-gatherers – good archaeological find. The pot was found in the
and spiritual beliefs of the Stone Age hunter-gatherers – good archaeological find. The pot was found in the
the San – and the Khoekhoe-speaking herders – the shelter of a rock outcrop, where it had remained
the San – and the Khoekhoe-speaking herders – the shelter of a rock outcrop, where it had remained
Khoi who inhabited, and ranged in, the area for relatively protected from the elements, along with
Khoi – who inhabited, and ranged in, the area for relatively protected from the elements, along with
thousands and hundreds of years, respectively.
numerous scattered stone tool deposits, ostrich
thousands and hundreds of years, respectively.
numerous
eggshell fragments,
scattered
and
stone
faunal
tool
remains.
deposits, ostrich
In addition to the rock art, remnants of their livelihoods eggshell fragments, and faunal remains.
In addition and experiences to the rock can art, still remnants be found of their today, livelihoods scattered On their return to the Main Lodge, Elizma and Ivan
and across experiences the Reserve, can in still the be form found of relics today, such scattered as stone On immediately their return notified to the management Main Lodge, of Elizma the find, and and Ivan
across tools the and Reserve, ostrich eggshell in the form fragments. of relics However, such as the stone most immediately so the process notified of having management the discovery of the validated, find, and
tools recent, and ostrich and by eggshell far the most fragments. exciting However, archaeological the most and so through the process the proper of having channels, the began. discovery The validated, Kagga
recent, cultural and treasure by far the found most at exciting Kagga Kamma, archaeological was that and of a through Kamma Team the proper reached channels, out to Heritage began. The Western Kagga
cultural nearly treasure intact Stone found Age at Kagga Khoekhoe Kamma, clay pot, was which that of was a Kamma Cape with Team photographic reached images out to of Heritage the pot in Western situ,
nearly found intact by guests Stone while Age Khoekhoe out hiking clay and exploring pot, which on was the Cape requesting with photographic their input. Based images on of the pot evidence in situ,
found Reserve. by guests while out hiking and exploring on the requesting presented, Heritage their input. Western Based Cape on dispatched the evidence a
Reserve.
presented,
team to Kagga
Heritage
Kamma
Western
Nature Reserve.
Cape dispatched a
On a particularly balmy day, Elizma Bester and Ivan
team to Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve.
van Niekerk, guests staying at Kagga Kamma
On a particularly balmy day, Elizma Bester and Ivan
Nature Reserve, ventured out on a hiking trail to
van Niekerk, guests staying at Kagga Kamma
explore.
Nature Reserve, ventured out on a hiking trail to
explore.
The pot will remain at Kagga Kamma Nature
Reserve, and form part of a display, along with other
artefacts, to provide guests with additional insights
into the intriguing San and Khoi cultures, during
related heritage tours and experiences
The paintings and engravings, found on cave walls and rock faces, and other archaeological traces, depict
fascinating stories of the San and Khoi people who first walked these ancient lands. Honouring and
preserving the heritage of these first peoples, imprinted upon and intrinsic to Kagga Kamma Nature
Reserve, is deeply rooted in Kagga Kamma’s ongoing mission to safe-guard and appropriately share this
special and unique environment with guests. Kagga Kamma continues to pay homage to the rich cultural
history of the Reserve and the greater Cederberg area, through the preservation of the Rock Art sites and
archaeological finds; and by sharing the incredible insights they provide into the rich and multifaceted lives
and habits of the San and Khoi; and delving into their stories and beliefs with others, through educational
experiences that inspire and connect people of today with our soulful heritage of the past.
www.kaggakamma.co.za