SiteRecordings

A low density (mostly less than 1 artefact/10 m2), mainly quartzite flakes, probably Middle Stone Age, were noted over much of the area. The more prominent heritage features by far are traces of twentieth century diamond diggings in the area, including small settlements, including the bases of dwellings, which evidently also reflect the history of forced resettlement. One particular cluster, at the top of the ridge at 28°29.614’S, 24°23.909’E may be worth more detailed documentation, and could be used in the longer term as a heritage/tourism resource. However, there may be better examples – although all similar resources in the area are under threat from mining where, seemingly, not all operations go through uniform heritage assessment procedures. A Later Stone Age upper grindstone was found near the settlement.