UMLANDO South Africa
Archaeological Surveys & Heritage Management.
ROCK ART IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
calendar 2012: 1st/11th March -19th/29th July - 11th/21th October
To join please download the following documents, fill them in and email them back to us at umlando.it@gmail.com along with a signed copy of your
ID
Survey and study of a newly discovered late iron age site where settlements and engravings are present, private guided visit to the site of Battle Cave in the Drakensberg, and the opportunity to work
inside Umphafa Game Reserve where several iron age sites are present and waiting to be recorded.
Late Iron Age in South Africa, some informations:
Late Iron Age (LIA) engravings occur in the summer rainfall areas of southern Africa, they are related to agricultural-based socio-economies and vary in style and content across the landscape.
The LIA begins in KwaZulu-Natal at c. 1100AD. In the interior of KZN, these sites are characterised by small stone walled settlements. These settlements change in shape, style and size over time, and also appear to be regionally specific. Prior to the formation of the Zulu kingdom, by King Shaka, the entrances to the cattle byres varied. Thereafter, a more uniform architectural style was imposed on the various clans of KZN.
With the introduction of European government, the stone walled settlements had another architectural change, where the majority became rectangular in shape. Only the ancestral hut remained circular. This latter change occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The changes in the settlement patterns are integral to the understanding of the changing social landscape over the last 1000 years.
Our site and the aims of our study:
During recent surveys in the area of Colenso-Ladysmith we have found several Late Iron Age engravings.
The engravings associated with these settlements have had little research. While they are definitely associated with the LIA, there has been no means of dating the engravings. Judging by the content of the engravings, they are stylised representations of a settlement. They main cattle byre tends to be the focus of each engraving, with the homesteads sometimes included. Occasionaly the (cattle) walkpaths are included in the engravings.
The engravings are not evenly located along the landscape and there appears to be areas of concentrations of engravings. A systematic survey over a large area would be required to obtain some form of idea of the spatial relationship between engravings and the landscape.
Aim of the project:
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Choose several farms and undertake a systematic survey for engravings and stone walled settlements
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Record all sites with a GPS and basic site plan
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Photograph each engraving
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Undertake tracings and/or rubbings of each engraving
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Database the information to get an idea of engravings across the landscape
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Note different types of engravings in the database, e.g pecking vs engravings, circular vs lines, etc.
The photo gallery requires at least Flash 9.0.28!
Please install the current FlashPlayer.
Private visit to Battle Cave
Gavin Anderson specialised in the Rock art of Southern Africa, and Umlando has access to unique rock art areas normally closed to the public.
Our group will have the opportunity to visit privately Battle Cave, one of the most important rock art sites in the cowntry, which we'll reach after a pleasant one day hike through the uncontaminated beauty of the Drakensberg mountains.
To complete the preparation of the partecipants we'll provide short lectures regarding the history, cultures and belief system of the various people living in the area.
Umphafa Game Reserve
We will be working in environments very different from the ones found in Europe. One of the areas of study is Umphafa Game Reserve.
Working there will require particular care and full attention to directions and orders given by the game rangers and Umlando.
On arrival we will provide each person with the necessary instructions to ensure a safe working environment. We will be accompanied and supported by game rangers if needed.
pottery
All the materials needed to work will be provided by us. Once you have booked your trip we will send you a list through email of what you will need to bring along and of the weather conditions you will find.
At the end of the 10 days we'll release a participation certificate.
Umlando is an accredtied archaeological company with the regional (http://www.heritagekzn.co.za), and national (http://www.sahra.org.za/) heritage authorities.
Accomodation
You will be a guest of Wyford farm, a traditional Southafrican Farm house which is located near Van Reenen's Pass and has been there since 1874.
The house where you'll sleep used to be the old Trading Store, used by the travellers coming and going through the pass when gold was discovered in Transvaal.
The Farm was occupied by the Boers during the Anglo-Boer war and in the guest house the actual owners have displayed suggestive pictures and images of this historical period.
The Trading store has a beautyful and wide lounge with a fire place and comfortable couches, the front door opens on the well looked after garden and outdoor is available a barbeque and a comfortable area to sit and relax.
The rooms have double beds and 2 bathrooms are available, we will cook in shifts in the kitchen.
The house will be cleaned daily, horse riding is available on request and in summer you'll be wellcome to use the swimming pool after the day in the field.
The photo gallery requires at least Flash 9.0.28!
Please install the current FlashPlayer.
This project is opened to groups of maximum 6 people in order to guarantee full attention and care to each participant, the language spoken will be mainly English, although an Italian translator will be present.
The participants must be at least 18 years old, and be relatively fit. Previous fieldwork experience is not required.
If you wish to join us or to support this project please contact us:
umlando.it@gmail.com
Our trips don't have commercial purposes, but are financed by the joining fees we require.
The fee for this course is of 17700 South African Rands per person for a group of 6 people, please enquire if you need further informations, the price doesn't includes plane fare and insurance.
To join this survey download, fill in and email us back the documents you can download at the top of this page, along with a signed copy of your ID
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