Heritage Cases

Below is a comprehensive methodology for the paper-making process, which has been developed in consultation with Phumani Archival Paper Mill and Archaeologist and rock art specialist, Dr David Morris. PART 1: Harvesting of plant material for the paper pulp The paper is made from two ingredients only: plant and water. There are no other additives. The paper will be made from an indigenous fast-growing reed (Typha capensis) which grows throughout South Africa. It will be harvested from water bodies near Nooitgedacht. Once harvested, it will be transported to Johannesburg for pulping. PART 2: Preparation of paper pulp. After harvesting, the reeds will be transported to the Phumani Archival Paper Mill in Johannesburg. The reeds will be cut into small lengths (approximately 10cm in length) and boiled for several hours. Once boiled the pulp is rinsed thoroughly and then placed into a mechanical beater for several hours. This will be done in a paper mill in Johannesburg. Two types of pulp is produced: (1) Long fibre pulp is produced by beating for a shorter period of time. This is a slightly more fibrous pulp, and provides strength to the paper; and (2) Short fibre pulp is produced by a longer period of beating. This is a smoother, finer pulp, and gives the paper a softer surface for embossing. PART 3: Paper Production We will return to the site with the pulp, a large vat, paper-making deckles and frames, a series of pressing boards and felt sheets. The two types of pulp are mixed in the vat with water (collected from the Vaal river nearby) Once mixed, the frames are lowered into the vat, lifted out and placed onto a wet layer of felt over a large flat board. Another wet sheet of felt is layered on top of the paper. This process is repeated until there are 6 or 7 sheets of wet paper stacked on top of each other, separated by felt in each instance. Another flat board is placed on top of the 7 sheets and is pressed tightly for several minutes to remove as much water as possible. The top board is removed and one by one, each sheet of paper is removed from the pile, taken to the rock surface, and laid down, paper first onto the rock. The felt is carefully peeled off, with only the wet paper remaining on the surface. No other frames or boards come into contact with the rock surface. The wet paper is gently pressed by hand onto the rock, to imprint the textures of the rock surface into the soft paper material. This is gently done by hand. No other utensils are used. The only material that touches the rock is the soft wet paper and the only pressure is exerted by hand. This process is repeated until all the sheets are laid out on the rock. The paper is left in situ for several hours, to dry. Once dried, the paper is gently removed from the rock, starting with the outer edges, which will dry first. We anticipate producing between 30-40 sheets in this manner. PART 4: Paper removal Once dry, the sheets are carefully lift off the rock surface, starting from the edges. The paper will not involve any mechanical scraping. Any residual plant pulp that may adhere to the surface would be easily cleaned off (refer to PART 5) PART 5: Cleaning Once all the pages have been removed, any residual pulp left on the rock surface will be wet, dabbed and gently wiped off with wet felt. The pulp is comprised only of local plant matter so there is no pollution generated. Rain would further remove any other trace of production. The process touches the landscape very lightly and will leave no trace on the rock. The entire process will be overseen by Archaeologist Dr Morris. This is not a commercial project. It's intended use is for inclusion in an international exhibition, and it may be further exhibited in South Africa afterwards.