Heritage Cases

The trench was excavated by hand to house the services such as water, drainage, sewerage and electric cabling for the new building. When discovered work was ceased on the trench. I inspected the site on 23 July 2020 and observed no other bone material other than the skull. The human remains must be respectfully recovered. The immediate area where the remains were found had been severely disturbed and covered by household rubble and coal fire ash long before the construction of the new building commenced. No evidence of a grave was noted before construction. There is no evidence of a cultural deposit to link it with any indigenous population and the trench excavation has obliterated any sign of a burial pit. The Hotel was originally called the New Gate Guest Farm and then the Punch Bowl Hotel. In 2001/2, the hotel was sold and became known as the Inn on Louis Trichardt. In 2011 it was restored and named Avoca Vale. The original farm house was converted to the New Gate Guest farm so it is probable that the exposed burial has links to the original farm owners of the early 20th century when the area was settled. The burial is located approximately 60m north-west of the original farm house and adjacent to some kind of outbuilding that can be seen on Google earth, but has since been demolished. After exhumation, it is proposed that the remains be subjected to a basic analysis for population, age and gender by a specialist and then to be housed at a registered undertaker or Police station until the interment can be done. The consultative processes to trace claimants/descendants are ongoing and unless otherwise decided by such persons, it is proposed that the remains be interred on a vacant spot in close proximity to its findplace and appropriately marked.