Heritage Cases

Details of the specific research questions (KNP2017-01): The purpose of the first season of excavation is to obtain a general idea of the age, significance and broader cultural meaning of the site. It seems to belong to the Mapungubwe or Khami period and location, both of which are significantly removed from the location of this site. Detailed mapping and archaeological excavations and research on these sites would be valuable for our understanding of the Late Iron Age (LIA) to better understand the role this settlement had in the landscape, particularly with regards to the history of black Iron Age farming communities and trade activities. It will also provide us with samples to store that can be consulted at later date for additional research, education and promotion of our cultural heritage at large. Artefacts will be collected from the surface and excavations of representative samples of the artefactual and faunal and possibly botanical material will be conducted to allow for the updated and refined characterization of the site and dating. ‘Shovel-Tests' will also be conducted to establish the core and peripheral areas outside of the core site to define the complete extent of the site. In addition to the archaeological excavations, the sites will be investigated using high resolution aerial imagery and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to develop detailed visualisations of the site and its geographical profile. Ground Penetrating Radar will assist the archaeological team to visualise objects below the ground, without the need for digging, and terrestrial 3D laser scanning will create accurate models of the site for measurements and digital preservation. This will allow us to interpret and reconstruct the settlement layout of the site and determine the cultural identity of its occupants (such as reconstructing material and social economy and determining settlement organization and layout). In essence the first, exploratory excavations will aim to answer the following research questions: 1. Establishing the extent of the site. This will assist it formulating hypothesis with regards to the temporal development of the site and as such the presence of Iron Age people in the area. 2. Context: A detailed description of depositional history and environment of the site will assist in defining the site’s position in the greater context of Iron Age studies in Southern Africa.) Huffman & Hanish (1986) states that Zimbabwe Culture sites consisting of stonewalled ruins have been recorded over a large part of southern Africa, especially the Limpopo Province. The presence of other sites in the area requires the relationship and association between all these sites to be investigated and as such the possibility remains that this site might be part of a larger cultural landscape. The site would be of importance if confirmed to be of Mapungubwe Type, as this area does not currently fall within the distribution area of Mapungubwe type sites (initial point of reference, Huffman, 2007). Further indication of this site and the area’s potential link with Mapungubwe is the presence of similar Mapungubwe Type pottery at Shilowas Poort (Verhoef, Pers Comm 2018). This excavation session will thus aim to establish if this site indeed has any linkages with the Zimbabwe Culture. 3. Establishing firmer cultural affinities, age and significant features of the site. 4. Estimation or measurement of the extent (maximum dimensions) and orientation of the entire site. 5. Depth and stratification of the site. 6. Identification of possible sources of information about past environments. Scale and scope of the excavation: Given the research questions and the general nature of a first season of archaeological field work the suggested excavations will be mainly in the form of augering and shovel tests, unless significant features are identified. In such a case a shovel test will be extended to a proper test pit excavation. It is not envisaged that the test season of excavation will included large scale stratigraphic excavations.