Sites

The finds occur on a calcrete/limestone outcrop in a “valley” behind Bordjiesrif at co-ordinates 34°18’42.0”S, 18°27’33.0”E, in an area which for many years was infested with thick alien vegetation. The engravings consist of a cross (±100mm high, 65mm wide in a prepared area 150x110mm), and symbols or text within a rectangular outline immediately adjacent (±190x140mm)(Plate 1) (some damage or erosion makes it difficult to determine what is represented). The face on which the engraving occurs (±1100x800mm) is not quite vertical (Plate 2) and signs of chisel work indicate that the face may have been prepared. The engravings have patinated to the same colour as the background rock and are not immediately visible except when light plays over the surface at certain times of the day. A vertical ‘slot’ is located immediately to the right of the engravings (±500mm left edge x 360 width x 630 height from path x 700 right edge) (Plate 3) and may relate to quarrying activities. Several places on the outcrop show evidence of quarrying and in some cases, the quarried blocks still seem to be lying below where they were removed (Plate 4). There appears to be one particular strata of limestone, harder than others, that was targeted for quarrying (Plate 5). At present a hiking path runs immediately adjacent to the engravings making them highly accessible and vulnerable to vandalism.