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Steinaecker;s Horse Ka-Nwamuriwane site

CaseViews

CaseHeader

Status: 

HeritageAuthority(s): 

Case Type: 

ProposalDescription: 

Archaeological research on the Ka-Nwamuriwane site of Steinaecker's Horse. It forms part of the Steinaecker's Horse historical-archaeological research project. It is the next site to be excavated of the series of military outposts manned by Steinaecker's Horse during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). This site is close to Tshokwane in the Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga Province.

Expanded_Motivation: 

The Anglo-Boer War took place between 1899 and 1902 in South Africa, and was fought between Great Britain and the two Boer republics, Transvaal (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) and the Orange Free State (Pretorius 1999: 247). Steinaecker's Horse was a volunteer military unit that fought on the side of the British. They operated mainly in the Lowveld and Swaziland (Pienaar 1990: 343). The Anglo-Boer War is deemed one of the most important events in the history of South Africa and is studied by scholars from many countries. The proposed research is therefore of universal importance. However, research on the war has mainly been done by historians. Another aspect of the Anglo Boer War that has not received much attention, is the role played by black people. A few historians e.g. Warwick (1983) made such a study, but this was never before done by archaeologists. The current archaeological research for instance indicated that many black soldiers and local people joined Steinaecker’s Horse at their different outposts. In some cases a clear social differentiation is evident, but at others this is not the case (see Van Vollenhoven et.al.1998a; Van Vollenhoven et.al. 1998b; Van Vollenhoven et.al. 2001; Van Vollenhoven et.al. 2003; Van Vollenhoven et.al. 2006; Van Vollenhoven et.al 2007; Van Vollenhoven et.al. 2008; Van Vollenhoven 2010). The explanation of these aspects together with others such as the organisation and site layout is important in understanding the way of life and circumstances of this unit. It will also serve as model for similar studies on other sites from this period. The proposed archaeological research is a continuation of a current research project and aimed at elucidating this part of history. Up to now not much research has been done on Steinaecker’s Horse. The only published information that could be obtained was from popular publications such as Diespecker (1996) who focussed on one specific aspect such as the origin of the name of the unit. The only sources that gave more detail on the unit are those of Pienaar (1990), Stevenson-Hamilton (1952), Woolmore (2006) and Wolhuter (1971), but as these are popular sources the information is not always scientifically sound. Although useful it is clear that a more scientific approach is needed and that archaeological research will bring new perspectives as was already shown by the current project on Steinaecker’s Horse. Archaeological research is the only way to determine the way of life and circumstances of Steinaecker’s Horse. In this way it will be possible to write a comprehensive and representative history of the unit. The research done up to now by Archaetnos only focussed on four sites associated with Steinaecker’s Horse, being the outposts at Letaba, Sabi Bridge (Skukuza), Gaza Gray and Ngotso Mouth (Balule). This research was supplemented by studying archival material in the South African National Archives, the SanParks Archives and the British National Archives. Although much was learned from the mentioned excavations, a comprehensive history can only be possible if more of the Steinaecker’s Horse sites are investigated. The research has indicated the location of more of the sites associated with the unit. Some of these were physically located, but need to be confirmed as Steinaecker’s Horse sites by means of archaeological excavations. This will also contribute to the contextualisation of existing information. The above mentioned is studied from the material remains (cultural artefacts) excavated on these sites. The location of these sites, all against slopes close to rivers, however means that the cultural material is being washed away. At the Letaba site it was calculated that as much as 24 cm op topsoil was washed away within a 5 year period. With this numerous artefacts were lost. It is therefore of utmost importance that archaeological work continues in order to salvage as much as possible of these heritage objects and use it to write the history. Furthermore the correct identification and interpretation of more sites associated with Steinaecker’s Horse will be a valuable contribution to the heritage of the Kruger National Park and will increase research and tourism opportunities, especially in the field of cultural heritage management. This is in line with international trends as the management of cultural heritage resources and remains is of world importance (Renfrew & Bahn 1991: 471-473). Since 1992 this also became practice in South Africa (Deacon 1996: 841). The Steinaecker’s Horse research project will therefore also place the Kruger National Park at the forefront of international heritage management. The National Heritage Resources Act (25 of 1999) also places emphasis on the preservation and management of heritage sites such as these. The proposed research will give recommendations for the sustainable management and protection of the mentioned sites and will be in line with widely accepted principles for cultural heritage management as explained by Van Vollenhoven (2000). Lastly, the importance of Steinaecker's Horse in the history of the Lowveld should not be underestimated. The important role they played, although indirectly, in the establishment of the Kruger National Park is perhaps not well known. Some former members of the unit later on became rangers in the park and used their knowledge of the area, gained during the War to their, and ultimately, the Park’s advantage. The second in command of the unit, Major A Greenhill-Gardyne, drafted a document concerning the conservation of the wild life in the area, which was used by Major Stevenson-Hamilton as a guide when he started working in the park. It is also indicated that many of the local people who associated with them, later on became game watchers due to the knowledge they gained whilst working with Steinaecker’s Horse.

ApplicationDate: 

Tuesday, March 26, 2019 - 17:31

CaseID: 

13641

OtherReferences: 

ReferenceList: 

Citation
Bornman, H. 2004 (2nd impression). Pioneers of the Lowveld (Unpublished manuscript). Cartwright, A.P. n.d. Steinaecker's Horse, What they were really like (Lowvelder). Conway, O.P.M. 1978. Baron von Steinaecker, D.S.O. Steinaecker's Horse. Journal of the Medal Society, (2)1, March. Cattrick, A. 1959. Spoor of blood (Cape Town: The Standard Press Ltd). Diespecker, D. 1996. The naming of Steinaecker’s Horse. Military History Journal 10 (3), pp.1-7, http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol103di.html. Diespecker, D.D. 2000. British intelligence operations in Mozambique in August 1900. Military History Journal 9 (6), pp. 1-10. Forsyth, D.R. 1972. Steinaker's Horse. Journal of the Orders and Medals Research Society, December. Greenhill-Gardyne, A.D. 1972 (2nd impression). The life of a regiment. The history of the Gordon Highlanders III (London: Leo Cooper Ltd). Jones, H.M. 1996. The Delagoa Railway and the origin of Steinaecker’s Horse. Military History Journal 10(3), pp. 1-10. Matsebula, J.S.M. 1972. A History of Swaziland (Cape Town: Longman Southern Africa Pty Ltd). National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Correspondence files CS 29, 3864/01, Letter from G. Schwab to the Resident Commissioner for Swaziland, 03.08.1901. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Correspondence files CS 636, 6274, Letter from F. Steinaecker, 24.11.1905. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Law Department LD 931, AG 6498/04, Application for exemption of permit for relics by Colonel F. Steinaecker. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Department of Defence War record files PMO 42, PM 2835/01, Letter from the Commandant of Komatipoort to the Provost Marshall at Army Head Quarters in Pretoria, 16.12.1901. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Department of Defence War record files PMO 28, PM 1973/01, Report on foreigners captured by Steinaecker’s Horse, 1901. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Kommandant-Generaal, KG 309, CR 4703/98, Letter from E Holgate to Commander General PJ Joubert, 26.09.1898. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Law Department, LD 176, AG 6167/02, Letter from Medical Officer Steinaecker’s Horse to District Surgeon, Komatipoort, 27.11.1902. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Native Affairs Department SNA 321, NA 1321/06, Letter from F. Steinaecker to the Secretary of Native Affairs, 04.04.1906. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Staatssekretaris Oorlogstukke, SS 0, R 8433X/00, Letter from the State Secretary to the Komatipoort Wachtmeester, 05.05.1900. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Staatssekretaris Oorlogstukke, SS 0, R 8433X/00, Letter from Komatipoort Wachtmeester to the State Secretary, 19.05.1900. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Staatssekretaris Oorlogstukke, SS 0, R 8433X/00, Letter from the State Secretary, FW Reitz to Commissioner Coetzer, 24.05.1900. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Staatssekretaris Oorlogstukke, SS 0, R 8496/00. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Staatssekretaris Oorlogstukke, SS 0, R 7251/00, Letter from Section Commandant Winterbach to the State Secretary, 24.04.1900. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Meester van die Hooggeregshof, MHG 32062: Death notice and Estate of the late F.L. Steinacker, 1918. National Archives Depot, Pretoria: Staatscourant system 1 part 1, AMPT PUBS 83C, Government Gazette, 14.09.1900. XX (1148). (Komatiepoort: Staatsdrukkerij te velde). Paynter, D. 1986. Bismarck van die Bosveld. Die Krugerwildtuin in woord en beeld (Pretoria: Macmillan). Pelser, A. 1999. The Boer attack on Fort Mpisane, 7 August 1901. Research by the National Cultural History Museum 8, pp.50-59. Pelser, A. & Van Vollenhoven, A. 1998. The daily activities at the northernmost outpost of Steinaecker’s Horse as reconstructed through archaeology. Research by the National Cultural History Museum 7, pp. 27-46. Pienaar, U.de V. (ed.). 1990. Neem uit die verlede (Pretoria: Sigma Pers). Pienaar, U. de V. Former Head of the Kruger National Park, Personal communication, 10.08.2002, 12.09.2002 and 17.01.2003. Geskiedenisatlas van Suid-Afrika. Die vier noordelike provinsies (Pretoria: J.L van Schaik). Republic of South Africa, 1999. National Heritage Resources Act (Act no 25 of 1999). (Cape Town: The Government Printer). Skukuza archives: Annual report of the Sabie Game Reserve, 1902. Skukuza archives: J. Stevenson-Hamilton, Game preservation document, 13.10.1903. Skukuza archives: Hamilton, J. 1909. The Transvaal Government Game reserve. The society for the preservation of the wild fauna of the empire V, pp.61-68. Skukuza archives: J. Stevenson-Hamilton, 1930. Kruger National Park handbook and guide (Pretoria: The Government Printer). Skukuza archives: Letter from Captain H.F. Francis to Lieutenant Pasement, 02.08.1901. Skukuza archives: Letter from Major J. Stevenson-Hamilton to the Native Commissioner of Lydenburg, 06.02.1903. Skukuza archives: Report by Major A. Greenhill-Gardyne, 03.06.1902. Skukuza archives: Report of the Government Game Reserve, 29.11.1903. South African National Museum of Military History: 920, A.P. Cartwright, What they were really like. South African National Museum of Military History: 920, D.R. Forsyth, Lt. Col. Francis Christian Ludwig Steinaecker D.S.O. War Medal Society of South Africa Newsletter 4, pp. 20-23. Stevenson-Hamilton, J. 1952. South African Eden. From Sabi Game Reserve to Kruger National Park (London: Cassell & Company). Stirling, J. 1907. The colonials in South Africa (Edinburgh: William Blackwood and Sons). Van Vollenhoven, A.C. 1995. Die militêre fortifikasies van Pretoria 1880-1902. ‘n Studie in die historiese argeologie (Pretoria: Heinekor). Van Vollenhoven, A.C. 1999. The military fortifications of Pretoria 1880-1902. A study in historical archaeology. (Technikon Pretoria: Pretoria). Van Vollenhoven, A.C. 2000. ‘n Voorgestelde paradigm vir navorsing op histories-argeologiese erfenishulpbronterreine in Suid-Afrika aan die hand van gevallestudies in Noordelike Gauteng, (Unpublished DPhil-thesis, University of Pretoria). Van Vollenhoven, A.C., 2004. Report on a survey of a historical border site at Komatipoort, Mpumalanga Province, (Unpublished Report, A.C. van Vollenhoven). Van Vollenhoven, A.C. 2010. Die Britse vrywilligerseenheis Steinaecker’s Horse in die Anglo-Boereoorlog (1899-1902): ‘n Kultuurhistoriese studie, (Unpublished DPhil – thesis, University of Stellenbosch. Van Vollenhoven, A.C. & Van den Bos, J.W. 1997. 'n Kultuurhulpbronstudie van die Britse blokhuisstelsel van die Tweede Anglo-Boereoorlog (1899-1902) in die voormalige Transvaal (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek) (Ongepubliseerde verslag, Nasionale Kultuurhistoriese Museum. Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Van den Bos, J.W. & Pelser, A.J. 1996. ‘n Eerste fase Kultuurhulpbronondersoek na enkele militêr-historiese terreine in die Nasionale Krugerwildtuin (Unpublished report, National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria). Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Pelser, A.J. & Van den Bos, J.W. 1998a. Historical archaeological investigation of the Northernmost outpost of Steinaecker’s Horse Letaba district, Kruger National Park (Unpublished report, National Cultural History Museum, Sunnyside). Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Pelser, A.J. & Van Den Bos, J.W. 1998b. A historical-archaeological investigation of an Anglo-Boer War British outpost in the Kruger National Park. Koedoe 41(2), pp. 113-120. Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Pelser, A.J. & Teichert, F.E. 2001. A historical archaeological investigation of the Northernmost outpost of Steinaecker’s Horse, Letaba district, Kruger National Park II (Unpublished report, Archaetnos, Wonderboompoort). Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Pelser, A.J. & Teichert, F.E. 2003a. Report on a survey done in the Kruger National Park on sites associated with the Steinaecker’s Horse military unit (Unpublished report, Archaetnos, Wonderboompoort). Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Pelser, A.J. & Teichert, F.E. 2003b. A historical–archaeological investigation of the Northernmost outpost of Steinaecker’s Horse, Letaba district, Kruger National Park (Report no. III) (Unpublished report, Archaetnos, Wonderboompoort). Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Pelser, A.J. & Teichert, F.E. 2006. A historical–archaeological investigation of the Sabi Bridge post of Steinaecker’s Horse, Skukuza district, Kruger National Park (Report no. I) (Unpublished report, Archaetnos, Wonderboompoort). Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Pelser, A.J. & Teichert, F.E. 2007. A historical–archaeological investigation of the Sabi Bridge post of Steinaecker’s Horse, Skukuza district, Kruger National Park (Report no. II) (Unpublished report, Archaetnos, Wonderboompoort). Van Vollenhoven, A.C., Pelser, A.J. & Teichert, F.E. 2008. A historical–archaeological investigation of the Sabi Bridge post of Steinaecker’s Horse, Skukuza district, Kruger National Park (Report no. III) (Unpublished report, Archaetnos, Wonderboompoort). Wolhuter, H. 1948. Memories of a game ranger (London: The Wildlife Protection and Conservation Society of South Africa). Wolhuter, H. 1973. Memories of a game ranger (London: Collins/Fontana books). Woodborne, S. 2001.01.23. Report on groundwater analysis (Unpublished report, CSIR, Pretoria). Woodborne, S. 2003.02.03. Report on groundwater analysis (Unpublished report, CSIR, Pretoria). Woolmore, W. 2006. Steinaecker’s Horsemen South Africa 1899-1903. (Barberton: South African Country Life).
Images
Trench no 10
Trench no 7
Ka-Nwamuriwane beacon
 
 

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