Sites

The site is characterised by stone outcrops on a relatively prominent dune on the Orange River floodplain. This is a multi component site consisting of 3 cultural layers. Later Middle Stone Age to LSA deposits associated with pastoralist: Lithic deposits were found underlying the pastoralist site but extending far across the dune and neighbouring lower lying dunes and covering an area of approximately 300x300m. Stone artefacts were primarily produced from quartzite but with a few samples made from dolerite. Artefact densities (artefact: m²) approach 3:1, but are typologically and technologically not of a high quality. The sample may represent a later Middle Stone Age collection, although it may well signify the common unambiguous palaeopastoralist type of deposits. 2. Pastoralist deposits: The older component of the site is situated within the boundaries of the rock outcrops (40x30m), comprising of 2 stock enclosures, characterised by livestock dung deposits on slightly compressed sediments. Stone outlines are indicative of a former nomadic dome shaped hut situated towards the
south-east of the stock enclosures. Pastoralist shelters were constructed from dome shaped beams, traditionally covered by grass mats. A small prominent mound represents a midden. Two panels with petroglyphs (pecked engravings) were
discovered in close proximity to the site: To the north west of the central area of the site [2.1] (S28°22’40.1; E16°49’33.9) and to the south east [2.2] (S28°22’43.9; E16°49’41.7”). 3. Cultural overlay is represented by the more contemporary remains of a shelter, again characterised by stone outlines with dome shaped beams still present on site. The remains of 2 associated contemporary stock enclosures attest to current Nama pastoralist practice: Niklaas Bok, from the nearby town of Kuboes, explained that he often uses the site when attending his goats sometimes for as long as 3 weeks to a
month on end. Middens are not associated with more recent use of pastoralist sites; it was explained that herders now bury their refuse rather than just piling it creating the very visible archaeological middens. In addition grass mats have been replaced by plastic and blanket coverings for the dome shaped shelters. Graffiti on a quiver tree at Site 002 is interpreted as of recent origin.