AE01456V
A report on a basic heritage assessment for the proposed Eskom Fibre-Groblershoop 132 kv power line, Northern Cape Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was appointed by Landscape Dynamics to conduct Basic Heritage Assessment for the Eskom 132 kV power line between Fibre and Groblershoop. This is located in the Northern Cape Province.
A basic assessment entails the establishment of a broad framework of the potential heritage of an area. Two alternatives for the route were investigated.
The fieldwork undertaken revealed one sites of cultural heritage significance, but this is too far from any of the alternatives to be impacted on. A few stone tools were also identified out of context, but these are not important enough to warrant a change to the proposed line. It however has to be realized that during a basic assessment a detailed survey is not done and therefore these sites only are an indication of what is to be expected. Such sites should rather be avoided during development. If necessary it should be mitigated during construction activities.
From a heritage perspective, there is no specific preference for any of the two alternatives and therefore any one may be used. Both proposed routes will have no impact on the identified heritage site. It is therefore proposed that once a final decision has been made and the pylon positions are known, a walkdown be done of certain sections in order to determine the actual impact.
It should also be noted that the subterranean presence of archaeological and/or historical sites, features or artifacts is always a distinct possibility. Care should therefore be taken when the development commences that if any of these are discovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate.
Report by
Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.)