Heritage Cases

Compared to other areas in South Africa, little historical and archaeological research had been done in the Kruger National Park. This likely is due to it being a nature reserve where the focus had mostly fallen on nature conservation. However, nowadays this is gradually changing with conservation rather looking a holistic approach, including both natural and historical resources in an integrated approach to heritage. The first major study regarding the cultural history of the Kruger Park, was done by Meyer (1986). In his doctoral thesis he looked at the Iron Age but did make reference to the Stone Age and historical times. His study was however not an in-depth one as it was aimed at obtaining a broad idea of the Iron Age in the Park. This was followed by the monumental work of Pienaar (1990), later to be reworked (2007) and also translated into English (2012). It forms the basis of the history of the park and no historical or archaeological research in the park should be done without first studying this source. Some of the chapters are written by scholars of history and archaeology and are thus scientifically sound. Others however are rather a popular history. Although most chapters are indeed the only narrative of certain events in the area, and thus extremely important, others merely provide additional information to other well-researched topics. The work did however include the Stone, Iron and Historical Ages, making it the most comprehensive history of the Kruger National Park. The above includes therefore research into the Stone Age (Eloff 2007), Rock art (English 2007), Iron Age (Eloff, Miller & De Vaal 2007a) as well as certain aspects of the historical time period (e.g., chapters by De Vaal, Pienaar, Verhoef and Punt). A few other studies have been done in the park. In all these cases focus was on a specific time period or site and although it therefore provided valuable information, it was limited to the specific details of those projects. Some of these are briefly mentioned below. Arguably the largest research project related to an aspect of the history and archaeology of the park was the research by Van Vollenhoven (1997-2020) on Steinaecker’s Horse. It extensively studied the archaeological remains of this military unit, who were stationed in the area during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). It therefore only focussed on a specific event and the influence thereof in the broader geographical area. Another important archaeological research project was done at a Late Iron Age site called Thulamela (Miller 2007, 2017). The site is located in the Pafuri area and has been developed for tourism purposes. The rock art of the southern part of the park has been studied to some extent by English (2007) and Hampson et.al. (2002). Plug (1988) did a comprehensive study on the archaeozoology of prehistoric communities in the park, but this was limited to sites excavated by Meyer (1986). A few smaller projects are known. This includes the work at the Late Iron Age site of Masorini by the University of Pretoria (Eloff et.al. 2007b), the historical Albasini ruins by De Vaal (1953, 1984, 2007a & b) and Van Vollenhoven et.al. (2004, 2009), excavations done by the University of Pretoria at various Iron Age and historical sites (these only for a short time) e.g., Makahane (Eloff et.al. 2007) and the post of Thomas Hart (Liebenberg 2007), as well as the work of Birkholz around Pretoriuskop (1997). Further work includes that by Gibbon on the Earlier Stone Age of the park (2003), a study on Early Farming settlements on the Letaba Confluence (Jordaan 2011) and work by Punt (1962, 1975 and 2007). It is therefore clear that although there is a broad history of the park, much more detailed research on specific aspects thereof should still be done. Therefore, during 2021, an exploratory project was done in the Pafuri area, but specifically Crooks Corner, including some sites in the Makuleke area. Apart from Thulamela, no in-depth research has been done here. Through the field work for this exploratory project various archaeological and historical sites have been identified/re-identified and the sites have been documented in a geographical unit, irrespective of time period (thus including all prehistorical and historical sites). From this project it became clear that the Pafuri, Makuleke and Crook’s Corner areas are extremely interesting. There also exist various legends about the people of the area. Scientific research will enable us to distinguish fact from fiction but will also provide information and thus serve as management tool for the preservation and conservation of these heritage sites. In order to expand this knowledge, individual sites now needs to be investigated by archaeological means. During the archaeological survey of the area in 2021, it was found that there are eight sites with limited research potential and twelve with good research potential (Van Vollenhoven 2021b:57-58). However, some of these date to the Stone and Iron Age and therefore does not form the focus of the project. Since the emphasis of the research is on the time of the traders, great elephant hunters and early days of the WNLA, some other sites are also excluded. The remaining ones, which then forms the sites included in the Crook’s Corner Archaeological Research Project are: • Shop of Alex Thompson (Maluleke) • Camp of Considine and Lumley • Shop of John Fernandez at Pafuri • Shop of W Borchers • Shop of Johan Fernandez at Gwalala It is however possible that archival research may indicate that some of these excluded sites are also linked to the time period investigated, which means it may be included at a later stage. This proposal are thus for the research on the first of five mentioned sites, being the shop of Alex Thompson at Maluleke. However, since the research approach is an integrated one, and it is impossible to study such a site without including the wider geographical area, reference to the Pafuri and Crook’s Corner area in general are also made below. Compared to other areas in South Africa, little historical and archaeological research had been done in the Kruger National Park. This likely is due to it being a nature reserve where the focus had mostly fallen on nature conservation. However, nowadays this is gradually changing with conservation rather looking a holistic approach, including both natural and historical resources in an integrated approach to heritage. The first major study regarding the cultural history of the Kruger Park, was done by Meyer (1986). In his doctoral thesis he looked at the Iron Age but did make reference to the Stone Age and historical times. His study was however not an in-depth one as it was aimed at obtaining a broad idea of the Iron Age in the Park. This was followed by the monumental work of Pienaar (1990), later to be reworked (2007) and also translated into English (2012). It forms the basis of the history of the park and no historical or archaeological research in the park should be done without first studying this source. Some of the chapters are written by scholars of history and archaeology and are thus scientifically sound. Others however are rather a popular history. Although most chapters are indeed the only narrative of certain events in the area, and thus extremely important, others merely provide additional information to other well-researched topics. The work did however include the Stone, Iron and Historical Ages, making it the most comprehensive history of the Kruger National Park. The above includes therefore research into the Stone Age (Eloff 2007), Rock art (English 2007), Iron Age (Eloff, Miller & De Vaal 2007a) as well as certain aspects of the historical time period (e.g., chapters by De Vaal, Pienaar, Verhoef and Punt). A few other studies have been done in the park. In all these cases focus was on a specific time period or site and although it therefore provided valuable information, it was limited to the specific details of those projects. Some of these are briefly mentioned below. Arguably the largest research project related to an aspect of the history and archaeology of the park was the research by Van Vollenhoven (1997-2020) on Steinaecker’s Horse. It extensively studied the archaeological remains of this military unit, who were stationed in the area during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). It therefore only focussed on a specific event and the influence thereof in the broader geographical area. Another important archaeological research project was done at a Late Iron Age site called Thulamela (Miller 2007, 2017). The site is located in the Pafuri area and has been developed for tourism purposes. The rock art of the southern part of the park has been studied to some extent by English (2007) and Hampson et.al. (2002). Plug (1988) did a comprehensive study on the archaeozoology of prehistoric communities in the park, but this was limited to sites excavated by Meyer (1986). A few smaller projects are known. This includes the work at the Late Iron Age site of Masorini by the University of Pretoria (Eloff et.al. 2007b), the historical Albasini ruins by De Vaal (1953, 1984, 2007a & b) and Van Vollenhoven et.al. (2004, 2009), excavations done by the University of Pretoria at various Iron Age and historical sites (these only for a short time) e.g., Makahane (Eloff et.al. 2007) and the post of Thomas Hart (Liebenberg 2007), as well as the work of Birkholz around Pretoriuskop (1997). Further work includes that by Gibbon on the Earlier Stone Age of the park (2003), a study on Early Farming settlements on the Letaba Confluence (Jordaan 2011) and work by Punt (1962, 1975 and 2007). It is therefore clear that although there is a broad history of the park, much more detailed research on specific aspects thereof should still be done. Therefore, during 2021, an exploratory project was done in the Pafuri area, but specifically Crooks Corner, including some sites in the Makuleke area. Apart from Thulamela, no in-depth research has been done here. Through the field work for this exploratory project various archaeological and historical sites have been identified/re-identified and the sites have been documented in a geographical unit, irrespective of time period (thus including all prehistorical and historical sites). From this project it became clear that the Pafuri, Makuleke and Crook’s Corner areas are extremely interesting. There also exist various legends about the people of the area. Scientific research will enable us to distinguish fact from fiction but will also provide information and thus serve as management tool for the preservation and conservation of these heritage sites. In order to expand this knowledge, individual sites now needs to be investigated by archaeological means. During the archaeological survey of the area in 2021, it was found that there are eight sites with limited research potential and twelve with good research potential (Van Vollenhoven 2021b:57-58). However, some of these date to the Stone and Iron Age and therefore does not form the focus of the project. Since the emphasis of the research is on the time of the traders, great elephant hunters and early days of the WNLA, some other sites are also excluded. The remaining ones, which then forms the sites included in the Crook’s Corner Archaeological Research Project are: • Shop of Alex Thompson (Maluleke) • Camp of Considine and Lumley • Shop of John Fernandez at Pafuri • Shop of W Borchers • Shop of Johan Fernandez at Gwalala It is however possible that archival research may indicate that some of these excluded sites are also linked to the time period investigated, which means it may be included at a later stage. This proposal are thus for the research on the first of five mentioned sites, being the shop of Alex Thompson at Maluleke. However, since the research approach is an integrated one, and it is impossible to study such a site without including the wider geographical area, reference to the Pafuri and Crook’s Corner area in general are also made below. Main aim: To make use of archaeological methods, supplemented by historical information, to write a comprehensive and representative history of Crook’s Corner, specifically that of the shop of Alex Thompson at Makuleke, in order to preserve and conserve this part of history. 2.2 Objectives: • To obtain archaeological information related to historical sites in the Pafuri and Crooks Corner area • To obtain background information on the archaeology and history of the Pafuri and Crooks Corner area in the Kruger National Park by using archival and other historical sources • To determine the geographical extent of each of the sites linked to Crook’s Corner, in this case the shop of Alex Thompson at Makuleke • To obtain information on and study the contact and influence between local indigenous people and the historical hunters, traders and prospectors in the Pafuri and Crook’s Corner areas, especially in connection with their lifestyle • To recommend preservation and management measures for the different sites • To identify research questions, gaps and opportunities relating to the different sites • To make recommendations for cultural tourism opportunities and the management of the different sites 2.3 Key questions: • Does the archaeological data from different sites, specifically the shop of Alex Thompson at Makuleke, support the known historical information on the history of the area? • Does the collection of archival and other historical information relating to the Pafuri and Crook’s Corner area add to existing knowledge thereof and in the writing of a comprehensive and representative history of the area? • Does the archaeological investigation of the shop of Alex Thompson at Maluleke assist in determining the geographical extent of each thereof? • Does the historical and archaeological information on the shop of Alex Thompson at Maluleke assist in obtaining information on the contact between and influence of local indigenous people and the historical hunters, traders and prospectors in the Pafuri and Crook’s Corner areas? • Can the study of the site add to the monitoring of erosion and site degradation in order to be able to recommend preservation and heritage management measures? • Will the research assist in identifying further research questions, gaps and opportunities relating to the different sites? • To what extent can the research the sites be used to recommend opportunities for cultural tourism and the management of thereof?