Heritage Cases

New town planning work is proposed for the establishment of a proposed mixed use development south of the Pretoria CBD in the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. This project, which is located at Erasmus Park west of the N1 freeway and north of the Waterkloof Airforce Base, entails the establishment of a mix use development across a total project area measuring approximately 85 hectares in extent on the Property. As part of the project EIA, the Heritage Unit of Exigo Sustainability conducted a Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) of the proposed development area in October 2016 . The study identified the remains of two Historical Period sites (coded “Site EXIGO-MDW-HP01” and “Site EXIGO-MDW-HP02”) within the project area. At these sites, the remains of two poorly preserved building foundation structures occur in association with household middens containing seemingly Historical Period material culture such as Historical Period glass, metal, porcelain and enamel. The foundations were rated as of low significance due to the poor preservation of the structures but the midden deposits were rated as of medium significate as they might potentially inform on local settlement and social developments on the historical Waterkloof property. A Phase 2 Specialist Study was recommended for the two middens in order to record all physical and cultural features and remains and this recommendation was subsequently supported by the South African Heritage Resources Authority (SAHRA) . Application was made for the controlled surface collection and archaeological excavation of subsurface artefacts from middens at Site EXIGO-MDW-HP01 and Site EXIGO-MDW-HP02 on the farm Waterkloof 378 JR and this process was completed successfully. Application is now made for a destruction permit for the site after completion of the Phase 2 Assessment.