Heritage Cases

PGS Heritage (Pty) Ltd (PGS) was appointed by Royal Haskoning DHV (Pty) Ltd (RHDHV) to undertake archaeological mitigation work on the identified archaeological site TCHR4-10 (identified initially as archaeological complexes at Site 3, 4 and 5) to be impacted by the TFC Smelter - 100MW Photovoltaic (PV) Plant on the Farm Goudmyn 337 KT Portions: 0, 1, 6, 7, 10, Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. The identified archaeological sites have low and high heritage significance and are concentrated on site alternatives 3, 4 and 5. The sites were registered on SAHRIS as TCHR4-10, but excavation numbering kept with the original site descriptions as per the Heritage Impact Assessment. Areas designated as potential sites for mitigation had a grading varying between IIIC and IIIA at the highest (Fourie 2021). This report provides a summary of the mitigation work conducted on site TCHR4 and THCR 5 between 17 August - 30 November 2022 under SAHRA Permit ID: 3647. PGS obtained an excavation permit from the SAHRA to collect a representative sample of the archaeological material associated with sites TCHR4-1 for analysis to provide a record of temporal localisation, material cultural affiliation, and layout of the settlements located within each area. A representative sample was recovered for the cultural deposits on sites TCHR4 and TCHR5. The recovered archaeological data consists of material culture such as decorated pottery, faunal material, stone tools and implements, and recordings of architectural features and site plans. The recovered material is to be processed at the PGS laboratory, after which it will be submitted to the University of Pretoria for curation. A separate destruction application will be submitted for TCHR6-10. Due to the extent of post-processing of material, this interim report is submitted as backing for the destruction application to be submitted by Tubatse Ferrochrome to ensure that the proposed construction activities can start on PV Site 3 and Site 4 where the archaeological complexes of TCHR4 and TCHR5 are situated. It is our opinion that the destruction process can continue with the backing of a SAHRA permit and the implementation of the recommendation below: It is recommended that during the destruction of these sites (TCHR4 and TCHR5), archaeologists monitor the earthworks. If significance finds are made, the work is stopped until the material can be recovered under the current s 35 permit conditions. As reported in this document, the recovered material will then be included in the already bulk samples collected from the excavation and sampling process. It is also further recommended that during earthmoving, the potential human remains identified in this report, situated in the northern section of site TCHR4, analysed by an osteologist and, if found to be human remains, are rescued under the s35 permit issued for the Phase II work on the site. Destruction Methodology It is recommended that during the destruction of these sites (TCHR4 and TCHR5), archaeologists monitor the earthworks. The destruction process will follow the process as set out below: • An archaeologist will be appointed to monitor the physical destruction work on site. It is envisaged that this senior archaeologist will manage a team of archaeologists and field technicians that will be during the destruction process; • Site clearing will start with the removal of vegetation with suitable heavy machinery that could include bulldozers and TLB machines; • The clearing will be done in a controlled an systematic strip manner; • After clearance of the vegetation, it is recommended that a grader is used to strip the topsoil in 20-30cm layers (this is dependent on the soil and subsurface conditions). • If any archaeological material is found, the work will be stopped in the specific area of finds until the material can be recovered under the current s 35 permit conditions. • All recovery work will be done according to SAHRA and ASAPA standards and will follow the archaeological process as already contained in Permit CaseID: 18977, PermitID:3647. • As reported in this document, the recovered material will be included in the bulk samples collected from the excavation and sampling process. • A final destruction report will be submitted on completion of the works to SAHRA. Additional analysis and works outside of this application It is also further recommended that during earthmoving, the potential human remains identified in this report, situated in the northern section of site TCHR4, analysed by an osteologist and, if found to be human remains, are rescued under the s35 permit issued for the Phase II work on the site. This analysis and rescue must be applied for in the existing permit the request permit application (CaseID: 18977, PermitID:3647) by submitting a letter which will include the methodology for the analysis and details of the expert appointed to undertake the work. But should not influence the destruction application contemplated here.