|
|
ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE DOME
(Included in Dome and
battlefields tours)
There are many as yet unexplored
archaeological sites inside the Dome and we have been identifying
some of them. Cultural heritage sites must be left undisturbed and
conserved with the help of professional archaeologists. For this
reason we do not visit diggings except with the experts in charge.
However, we do show you the areas once peopled by Bushmen and the
ancestors of the Tswana and Sotho, and discuss their unique cultures
and relationships with the ecology.
'The area is rich in archaeological, historical and
cultural assets. This has been highlighted by archaeological
excavations carried out at the Late Iron Age site called Askoppies
on the farm Tygerfontein. Evidence
 of
human activity dates right back to the Stone Age and evidence still
exists of caves, rock shelters, pottery, rock engravings and rock
art. Iron Age sites occur on the Buffelshoek and Askoppies sites.
Research on the latter site dates the extensive settlement back to
the period between the late 17th and early 19th
century. Other late Iron Age sites occur on a number of properties,
including the farms Tygerfontein and Rondekoppie. Kraals typical of
both the Tswana and Sotho cultures exist in the area and it appears
that later kraals represent a transition type which may be a
combination of the two different groups. This makes the study area
also quite unique from an archaeological point of view in terms of
research opportunities.
'Poorly preserved San rock art with sketches as well
as tools and a cave with animal bones occurs on the farm Feestdrift.
Further rock engravings occur on the farms Diepfontein and
Deelfontein, possible from the Late Stone Age to Iron Age. Numerous
animals and other figures are portrayed. All these sites need proper
research and conservation.'
From - "VREDEFORT
DOME CONSERVANCY, SITUATION ANALYSIS REPORT" 25 February 2002.
Compiled by Grant Thornton Kessel Feinstein
|
Askoppies on the farm Tygerfontein
View the
CULTURAL
HERITAGE SURVEY AND CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN (2004)
 |
