SiteRecordings

This hill was the stronghold of chief Sekwati, who settled here after he left Phiring. The hill has a flat top and can be reached by two pathways, one from the south and one from the north. Stonewalls for defence purposes were built on top, but especially along the northern pathway leading up the hill. Many of these stonewalls have partially collapsed, but some are still in a good condition. Sekwati was buried on his stronghold. A modern tombstone has been erected on his grave. The remains of the settlement on top of the hill are in a relative good state of preservation. Unfortunately erosion is slowly washing away the archaeological deposits on the eastern side of the settlement. Cattle grazing on the hilltop also aggravate erosion on the site. The pathway leading down the hill towards the south is also disintegrating. The northern pathway is protected by many stonewalls (redoubts). The whole area at the foot of the mountain is an archaeological site. This site is threatened by modern settlements on the southern and eastern sides. The site is also badly eroded as a result of overgrazing and rainwater. On the western side is a site of special significance, which contains important archaeological evidence on Pedi origin and technology. On the surface Meloko (Sotho) pottery has been found. This corresponds with oral history, stating that the Pedi are of Tswana origin. The site also has iron and copper remains, seashells and cartridge caps. There is also a grave on the site. A variety of pottery is found on the hill and the surrounding area. From this it seems that the hill might have a long history of human occupation before Sekwati settled here.