Heritage Cases

THIS IS THE ARCHIVE FOR SAHRIS 1.0


THIS SITE IS NOW AN ARCHIVE AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR MAKING APPLICATIONS

Please be aware that no content and application creation or changes to information on this version of SAHRIS will be retained.

To make applications or utilise SAHRIS for the creation of information, please use the new site:

https://sahris.org.za

Changes to SAHRIS!

The South African Heritage Resources Information System (SAHRIS) has undergone a generational upgrade and restructure. These changes to the site include, but are not limited to:

  • A new & modernised look and layout
  • Improved site usage flows with respect to applications and content creation
  • Improved site performance and stability

Launch for the new version of SAHRIS occurred on Monday the 30th of October 2023.

The new site can be found here:

SAHRIS | SAHRIS

SAHRA Application Closure

Please note the following concerning applications submitted to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) during the December 2023 to January 2024 period.

The full notice is available here: Notice

Special Notice

Following comments received on the proposed Revised Schedule of Fees for applications made to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), made in terms of Section 25(2)(l) of the National Heritage Resources Act No. 25 of 1999 (NHRA) and published in the Government Gazette of 22 July 2022, SAHRA hereby publishes the final Revised Schedule of Fees for Applications made to SAHRA. Applications for provision of services submitted to the South African Heritage Resources Authority (SAHRA), in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act, No. 25 of 1999 (NHRA) must be accompanied by a payment of the appropriate fee, taking effect from 1 January 2023

Revised Schedule of Fees for Applications made to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA)

GPR and TE at site MMC 76, Mogalakwena Mine, Farm Zwartfontein 818 Lr, Mokopane, Limpopo

CaseViews

CaseHeader

HeritageAuthority(s): 

Case Type: 

Development Type: 

ProposalDescription: 

PGS Heritage (Pty) Ltd has been appointed by Anglo American Platinum (AAP) Mogalakwena Mine Complex to assist with an application to conduct a Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey and test excavations at the location of a single grave buried behind the wall of a previous homestead (MMC 76) belonging to the Kgodu family, that has been disturbed by mining-related activities.

Expanded_Motivation: 

During the stakeholder engagement process for the proposed Mothlotlo and Bundwall Grave Relocation Project undertaken in 2019, a baby grave was identified by the Kgodu family (MMC 76). According to the family, the baby was buried behind the bedroom in a blanket. Subsequently, site notices were placed at the site on Monday, 18 November 2019. On Tuesday, 20 July 2021 a team from AAP and PGS inspected the site after the family representative indicated that she believes the site to have been disturbed by the expansion of waste rock dumping activities. During the site visit it was observed that the waste rock dump is located extremely close to the location of the grave. On Wednesday, 21 July 2021 the team along with the Kgodu family went back to the location of site MMC 76 (Figure 3 - Figure 4). The Kgodu family indicated that they cannot see or determine the exact location of the grave or the remains of their homestead as the site had been disturbed by mining activities. During the site visit, it was determined that the grave could possibly be located under the waste rock at the edge of the dump. It was explained to the family by the AAP team that the mine will take steps to verify the location and status of the grave and the homestead using GPR Assessments and Test Excavations. It is currently not certain what the status of the features and grave is, as the site has been impacted by the expanding mine waste rock dump and the surface of the area where the site was recorded in 2019 appears to have been disturbed. A GPR survey and test excavation of the site is needed, to determine the depth of the disturbance that occurred here and to establish whether the foundations of the homestead are still intact. The following methodology will be followed during the GPR survey. The aim of the GPR survey is to detect any anomalies consistent with the burials in the surrounding soil matrix. 1) The features will be documented and together with the surrounding area, will then be cleared of any vegetation that might obstruct the use of the GPR equipment. 2) The stone and soil mounds marking the features will then be levelled by hand. Continuous documentation will ensure that it can be reconstructed after the GPR survey. 3) A survey grid will be laid out over the area to be scanned. The area will be as large as possible, considering the adjacent construction activities which have severely encroached on the features. During the GPR survey the location of the grave and the homestead will be investigated 4) Radargrams will be collected every 25cm on both the X and Y-axis of the grid. 5) The data will be processed to see if any anomalies are present. Additional to the vertical radargrams, the post-processing software will also produce horizontal slices every 5cm. Should the radargrams prove to be inconclusive, test excavations will be conducted. The following methodology will be followed during the test excavations. The aim of this method is to remove enough of the topsoil until a clear display of the soil stratigraphy beneath is revealed. 1) As mentioned above, each feature will be documented and measured, the surface is then cleared of all debris and photographed. All observations regarding construction, materials and characteristics of the surface features are documented. 2) The topsoil is then carefully removed in 1mx1m test pits measured out on each feature of 30cm by hand. Observations will be made of the changing soil matrix and any patterns in stratigraphy indicating a grave pit. 3) Any archaeological features are noted and photographed. The presence of a burial pit can normally be ascertained by differences in the soil matrix. This would include a change in soil colour and/or texture due to prior disturbance if a pit or other alteration in the stratigraphy took place. 4) The feature will not be fully excavated and will be backfilled afterwards accordingly no matter the outcome. Should the features prove to be graves, the surface of the feature will be restored.

ApplicationDate: 

Thursday, August 12, 2021 - 08:39

CaseID: 

16949

OtherReferences: 

ReferenceList: 

Images
 
 

Search form