Submitted by Guy Thomas on
Land Parcel Type:
Erf/Farm No.:
3 819
Ptn No.:
32
HWC file No.:
HM/OVERBERG\OVERSTRAND\GANSBAAI\ERF 3819 AND LOT 32A OF ERF 538
Street Address:
South of Gansbaai
MyContent link:
Grading:
Nature of Application:
Archaeological permit excavation
Date of Site Visit:
Thursday, 26 March 2015
HWC Representatives:
Guy Thomas, APM: M Leslie, J Orton, L Webley
Met on Site By:
Dr R Rust, Dr L Van Pletzen-Vos
Reasons for Site Inspection:
A permit was issued to the Pro-Active Archaeological team to undertake mitigation work on the property. A report was submitted that did not meet the requirements of reporting. the site inspection was called for by the APM committee at the previous meeting of 4 March 2015
Findings of Site Inspection:
The HWC representatives met the Pro-active representatives on site. The site consists of a dune field with coastal fynbos covering much of the surface. The site has been highly disturbed, with a large portion of the site having been destroyed due to earth moving. The evidence of this can be seen in several mounds of material that has been redeposited on the northern side of the site. An area of dune is still intact with a layer of modern aeolian dune sand lying on top of a clear shell layer, with sparse in situ material in a grey matrix below this. The clear shell layer is likely a lag deposit on the top of the previous surface. The area is notable in the amount of stone that is found in the site. This can be seen in the talus slope, where many cobbles, and a few lower grind stones are visible. It is likely that the talus slope is a combination of erosion, as well as the results of a deflation process, where a lot of the deposit bearing matrix has been removed and the surface that is now visible is the total material from a couple of meters. it may be that the mjority of the site has ben destroyed through earth moving in the past.
Recommended Action:
HWC to draft a response to the PAA group.
1. An area must be demarcated around the insitu material in the center of the dune. This area will be defined by two points indicating the top of the dunes with in situ midden material as well as a 10 m radius around these points.
2. A single 1m x 1m square must be dug through the top of the dune (TP11) in order to investigate the depth of the sequence. This square must be dug in 10cm spits, unless identifiable lenses are found. This square must be excavated to an appropriate depth where the deposit becomes sterile. Significant surfaces identified in the sequence must be dated.
3. The remainder of the property (outside of the area to be demarcated in (1) above) must be monitored during vegetation clearing and levelling of the site. Human burials are common in coastal dunes and may occur on the site.
4. An archaeologist with a specialisation in coastal shell midden archaeology and CRM accreditation must be appointed in order to oversee the monitoring and the single square excavation.
Additionally HWC will write to the client regarding the required skills needed to finalise the archaeological investigation on the site. bush clearance and site preparation will be able to continue following the cordoning of of the area to be investigated further.