A significant discovery has emerged from the Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve in Ceres, Western Cape, offering insights into the late Stone Age era of the region.
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According to IOL, the pot was unearthed amid the reserve’s terrain and is an ancient Khoekhoen pot, believed to be around 2 000 years old. Heritage Western Cape (HWC) was promptly notified, and upon examination, they verified the ceramic vessel’s age to potentially range from 500 to 2 000 years. Despite the passage of time, the pot remains remarkably preserved, showcasing its enduring legacy.
‘The pot exhibits a classic stylistic affiliation with lugged pots and the body tapers towards the bottom, indicating that the pot was very likely a Khoekhoen lugged pot that had rope or string fed through the lugs to facilitate easy transportation,’ a professor at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Dr Vuyiswa Lupuwana said.
Upon the first examination, it was noted that the pot takes on an amphora-like form. It features a broad opening that gradually narrows into a neck, leading to an outwardly sloping shoulder that expands into a rounded body. The contour of the vessel gently curves downward and inward, culminating in a softly pointed base.
The presence of two undamaged, horizontally pierced ‘ears’ or ‘lugs’ on the pot indicates that cords may have been affixed to them for easy transportation. Despite minor damage, such as a small hole and some cracks, the pot remains largely intact, necessitating careful handling and storage.
Analysis of the pot’s red ochre clay, combined with scorch marks, suggests it was likely employed for cooking over an open flame. The configuration of the base and the burn patterns align with traditional cooking methods involving direct placement in fire coals.
While its size may have restricted its utility for long-distance water or produce transport, its design might have facilitated shoulder carrying.
‘The remarkable preservation of the pot despite exposure to the elements, is a testament to its quality. While carbon dating could determine an exact age, this procedure may risk damaging the artefact.’
‘Given past archaeological studies in the Cederberg region, artefacts range from 500 to 8 000-years-old, placing them within the Later Stone Age (LSA) period. In this instance, the pot is likely no older than 2 000 years, considering studies indicate the first Khoekhoe herders arrived in the Cape, introducing both livestock and pottery, around 2 000 years ago,’ the reserve said.
The pot was discovered mere metres away from a canyon formation, situated near an irregular water source. The pristine condition of the site indicates it was intermittently inhabited by Late Stone Age (LSA) communities, predominantly the indigenous Khoekhoe people.
The fortunate find was made by visitors to the reserve, Ivan and Elizma van Niekerk, who were enjoying an overnight stay at one of Kagga Kamma’s secluded off-grid campsites.
‘We went for an afternoon walk towards the arid canyon and while scrambling amidst the rocky outcrops – first glimpsed the pot hidden under a craggy overhang,’ the couple said.
Recognising the significance of their discovery, the Van Niekerks opted to leave the pot undisturbed and promptly alerted reserve management. Their responsible action ensured the preservation of the pot and prevented any potential site contamination until a specialised team could conduct a proper retrieval.
Tanya Steenkamp, the general manager at Kagga Kamma, expressed no surprise at the find, suggesting that similar concealed artefacts might lie hidden across comparable sites.
‘We are thrilled to be working with the University of Cape Town and Heritage Western Cape and hope further research will shed light on the life of early hunter-gatherers and pastoralists who once roamed these dramatic plains,’ Steenkamp said.
Waseefa Dhansay and Nuraan Vallie from Heritage Western Cape collaborated with the Kagga Kamma team to undertake the intricately delicate retrieval process.
‘I was very excited to observe the pot inside a small overhang, approximately 800 metres from a gravel Jeep track and situated along a rugged ridge-line scramble,’ Dhansay said.
Dr Lupuwana from the University of Cape Town provided expert validation, aligning with the viewpoints conveyed by Heritage Western Cape representatives. According to Dr Lupuwana, the artifact bears resemblance to a classic Khoekhoen pot, potentially utilised for carrying liquids or food, exhibiting stylistic elements consistent with other discoveries from the area.
Surrounding the pot were abundant traces of ancient life, including scattered stone tools, fragments of ostrich eggshells, and remnants of collapsed roof structures. These findings indicate a mingling of both hunter-gatherer and pastoralist societies, suggesting a coexistence during the later stages of the Stone Age.
Further exploration of the site holds promise for uncovering additional artefacts and historical clues. A small assortment of stone tools was retrieved for closer examination, along the identification of faunal remains. Additionally, Dhansay noted the discovery of faded rock art galleries adorned with handprints, mere metres away in a nearby overhang. These findings underscore the site’s significance to early indigenous communities, with subsequent visits revealing more rock paintings likely crafted using traditional ochre-based pigments.
‘We are absolutely thrilled to be part of this exciting find. Radio-carbon dating could provide a more precise age while advanced scientific techniques, such as lipid extraction or paleoproteomics may reveal exactly what the pot was used for and what it may have contained,’ Dhansay said.
The Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve expressed its intent to pursue additional research endeavours while emphasising its dedication to preserving this invaluable historical artefact. A proposed strategy involves creating a 3D model of the pot using photogrammetry techniques, aiming to facilitate educational initiatives and public outreach efforts.
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Picture: @jacqmaraisphoto and @kagga_kamma / Instagram