Submitted by Guy Thomas on
Land Parcel Type:
Erf/Farm No.:
173 714
HWC file No.:
HM/CAPE TOWN METROPOLITAN\WATERFRONT\110524ZS33M
Street Address:
Grain Silos, Clock tower precinct, Waterfront
MyContent link:
Registered Owner:
V and A Waterfront
Grading:
Nature of Application:
significant discovery of archaeological material - no application
Date of Site Visit:
Monday, 16 February 2015
Met on Site By:
Tim Hart, Liesbet Schiettekatte, Alex Gorman, Nathalie Kendrick
Reasons for Site Inspection:
A large cache of late nineteenth century naval shells were unexpectedly discovered on the site. this is a significant find and the heritage authority was informed by the archaeologist on the site.
Findings of Site Inspection:
Many shells were discovered during excavations on the site. over 40 shells have been removed from the site. the shells range from 400 pounders to smaller shells, most are armour piercing rounds thought to have been designed to be fired from shore guns. some of the shells include anti personal shells that would hav been fired at the deck of an enemy vessel to shred rigging and deimate enemy soldiers or sailors.
The shells were removed from the site following an inspection from the bomb squad. the shells were moved to Iziko's aquatic archaeology unit store room.
It appaears that the shells were buried as part of the fill used to construct the harbor around the end of the 19th century.
Recommended Action:
No further action is required, the material has been stored and removed in accordance with the monitoring procedure outlined in the original HIA and incorporated into the final approval. A final close out report is expected.