Declarations

HERITAGE WESTERN CAPE DECLARATION OF HERITAGE RESOURCES AS PROVINCIAL HERITAGE, ‘‘DIEPKLOOF ROCK SHELTER’’, PIKETBERG. In terms of section 27 of the National Heritage Resources Act, No. 25 of 1999, Heritage Western Cape hereby declares Diepkloof Rock Shelter, fully described in the schedule, as a Provincial Heritage Site. Schedule The demarcation of the Provincial Heritage Site is as follows: All property above the 120m contour line on the hill known as Diepkloof on Portion 3 of the Farm Groote Drift 5, Piketberg. Significance Diepkloof Rock Shelter is a cave situated on the west coast of South Africa and contains some of the earliest evidence for the use of symbolism by our species (Homo sapiens sapiens). The isolated butte above the Verloenvlei River has accumulated a deep, nearly continuous stratigraphic sequence of human occupation for nearly 85 000 years, and contains strata with Howiesons Poort and Stillbay Middle Stone Age stone tool assemblages which are unlike many archaeological sites in Southern Africa. Diepkloof rock shelter consist of two caves. The larger of the two is impressively large with extensive layers of rock art lining the walls. This cave was used by Khoekhoen people as a kraal for cattle but has minimal significant archaeological deposit. The smaller cave has minimal rock art but has an extensive archaeological deposit dating back to approximately 85 000 years ago.