Heritage Cases

From the Archeologically Assessment the following: During the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), British occupational forces were active at Harrismith. The remnants of their camps are still to be seen at King’s Hill, Queen’s Hill and 42nd Hill. A cluster of three unmarked stone covered graves and another more recent burial with tomb stone were found at the site. It should be kept in mind that graves at unofficial settlements are mostly unmarked and can be located at any place where the soil is suitable for digging a grave. It is possible that more burials could be found at the site. Archaeological material occurs in the form of a scatter near the quarry of un-worked Later Stone Age material and a single core tool resembling an Acheulian or Oldowan chopper. As this is a solitary find and no other cultural material occurred, the new developments will have no impact on any archaeological or cultural remains in the area. From the Palaeological Report the Following: The development site of the MIDZ is mostly underlain by the late Permian to early Triassic Adelaide Subgroup that consists of grey mudstone, dark-grey shale, siltstone and sandstone. Soils are derived from the underlying rock and are generally shallow and low in fertility. A small river valley on the north-western side of the development area is underlain by more recent Quaternary aged alluvial deposits. A field investigation confirmed that very few outcrops of potential fossil-rich mudstone beds are present in the study area. There is a very small potential for fossil material in the underlying mudstones that could be uncovered during deep excavations. iv Any outcrop areas of the Adelaide Subgroup of the development site have a moderate palaeontological sensitivity rating. Through adequate monitoring and mitigation measures during excavations the high impact severity can be lowered to beneficial. The exposure and subsequent reporting of fossils (that would otherwise have remained undiscovered) to a qualified palaeontologist for excavation will have a beneficial palaeontological impact. It is recommended that: · Further planning of the proposed project may continue and no archaeological mitigation measures will be required. · Prior the construction phase of the MIDZ, the resident ECO be trained by a professional palaeontologist in the recognition of fossils. If fossil material is later discovered i must be appropriately protected and the discovery reported to a palaeontologist for the removal thereof as per SAHRA legislation. · All earth-moving activities, with the potential to uncover bedrock, are monitored by the resident ECO under the control of a professional palaeontologist.