SiteRecordings

A historic site is situated here near the north-western corner of the study area. It is comprised of a large rectangular stone foundation (± 11m x 4m) as well as a smaller square foundation (± 3m x 3m) to its east. An associated rubbish dump is located a short distance to the south-east. A number of porcelain fragments, glass bottle fragments, ironstone fragments and bone were observed on the surface of the dump. A small sample of ceramics was taken to Ms. Corine Meyer at the National Cultural History Museum for identification and dating. She was able to identify and date the following pieces: Description of shard Date White glazed porcelain shards of a small plate and/or saucer decorated with moulded spiral patterns Ca 1900 -1910 Transfer-printed blue and white porcelain shard Ca 1890 Rim of coffee cup with solid blue border decoration (transfer-printed over the glaze) Ca 1905 -1910 Shard of moulded ironstone large shallow dish (probably ovalshaped), transfer-printed with brown decoration under the glaze. This platter was used for serving meat. It had lateral grooves extending from a central groove, giving it somewhat the appearance of a tree, for the purpose of draining gravy into a well at one end. Ca 1890 Part of tea or coffee cup with red and blue stencilled decoration on the glaze Ca 1890 -1900 The dating of the visible surface component of the rubbish dump to 100 years and older suggests that the site is the remains of an early farmstead.