Sites

The Pavement Testing Laboratory was constructed sometime between 1921 and 1926. It is located partially on a portion of Erven 734 and 738. The first structures were built as an adjunct to the first Somerset Hospital as a convalescent facility, and thereafter took on the role as an interment centre for foreigners intent on entering South Africa. The pavement
testing laboratory was apparently established temporarily on the site in the 1940’s and has remained there to this day. Erven 738 and 734 make up a complex archaeological site which is primarily a historical burial ground. The excavations have revealed that there is evidence of multiple layers of burial, extensive use of vault burials, the structures of which are largely still in place, as well as extensive use of the vaults themselves for multiple burials. Indications are that the vaults were the last layer that was used as earlier sets of human remains have been located under vault structures. It would be fair to say that this site has been largely but crudely exhumed. However it is clear that a large number of human bones were left behind including a number of partial and complete skeletons. In particular it was noted that exhumation process was unsuccessful at identifying the remains of children, who given mortality rates in the 18th and 19th centuries would make up some 40% of the population of the cemetery. It is also necessary to consider the possibility of unregulated use of the cemetery after its official closure.