SiteRecordings

A smaller circular stone walled site occurs on Farm 306 west of the fluorspar resource to be mined. The main stone enclosure measures approximately 80m x 75m and a number of smaller internal walls forms smaller enclosures. The stone walling and enclosures display irregular stone building with flatter stones and a number of defined entrances are demarcated with monoliths. At this site, traces of metal smelting in the form of smelting residues such as slag and bloom were discovered. Slag refers to melted impurities that were constituent parts of the metal ore, a common element being silica. No further diagnostic material culture was found in association with the walling and it is therefore not possible to ascertain an absolute temporality for the structures. However, considering similar sites in the surrounding landscape and the settlement history of Sotho-Tswana groups, the site probably dates to the late 18th early 19th century and might be regarded as part of the Kaditswene Cultural Landscape. As such, the site is of scientific value in terms of its regional representation in the Iron Age farmer period landscape of the area and it is rated as of medium significance. The site is located in close proximity of areas demarcated for mining and impact on the site could occur.