Web Report by Alan Oosthuizen (Rocky Slopes)
Friday: We all gathered at Potokwane on Friday evening for our sojourn into Archaeology. Unfortunately, Des and Karen were a little late due to “slow-food” pizza. Gerhard, and Tristan could not make the weekend. All gathered at the lecture hall for the exam at 7 p.m. Once written, we returned to Potokwane for dinner and a fireless evening due to the dryness of the park.
Saturday: We were entertained by Francois Coetzee from UNISA, who led us through the Archaeology lesson with very amusing anecdotes, amazing information, and some of his personal hypotheses concerning findings he has made at Pilanesberg. Francois also showed us artefacts collected at Pilanesberg during his various excavation visits, as well as a copy of Mrs Ples’ skull. Francois was joined by Dr Shaw Badenhorst, who studies bones.
After the tea break, Fortune Morake introduced us to Setswana greetings. We all practiced greeting each other with greater or lesser success. Much mirth ensued as wrong pronunciations were common.
After lunch, we departed in a convoy for the reconstructed Iron Age site, where we were led through the nuances of the design and its reasons. The site is secured with an electric fence, so one can roam around the well-marked site at will.
We then visited Chief Pilanes’ capital on the eastern side of Pilanesberg at the exit point of the Mankwe River. The rifle backup members ably escorted us, and we thank them for their support. The climb to the capital was guarded by thorn trees and loose rocks, and many of us left the site with lesions on our arms and legs. Long pants next time! The road to the site was a 4×4 requirement, and all were severely shaken up on the treacherous climb. During our site tour on top of a large hill, the weather turned, and a cold wind started blowing. We saw lightning in the distance and speedily left the site. As soon as we were safely in the cars, the rain came down, welcomed by all residents and locals. Des took a great photo of the complete rainbow with shadow on the way out. What an incredible sight.
When we returned to Potokwane, we found some tents flattened, and some beds and bedding wet because tent windows had been left open, and Peter had set up his sleeping quarters outside! Oh well, everyone in Pilanesberg appreciates the rain.
Sunday: An early start at 7:30 saw Francois’s last lecture and visits to two more sites. Before leaving camp, Maddie captured an exceptional sunrise on a pleasantly damp morning—even the birds sounded chirpier!
First, we visited an Early Moloko Iron Age site in a drainage area off the Ditabaneng Road that is severely eroded due to rain and animal access.
Francois pointed out features of interest and the location of buried individuals he has excavated in the past. It was very informative. We even found the partially buried skeleton of a scrub hare, which is sadly unrelated to the archaeological site but a recent addition.
Our last site visit was to a Late Moloko Iron Age site on a hill. This site had remains of stone walls and cattle kraals and we learnt of their need to hide on the hill. It was interesting to see the sentry posts to ensure security and the strategic locations of the cattle kraals.
Sadly, the weekend came to an end. We tidied up and struck camp and a weary group of students and HOs left for home.
We look forward to the Trees Module at Borakalalo in a few weeks.
ED’s Note: Many thanks Alan for providing us with the Archaeology module posting, always special to have the opportunity to walk in the park