AE01835V
A REPORT ON A CULTURAL HERITAGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED MAYFLOWER POLICE STATION, MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
Purpose:
Archaetnos cc was requested by Urban Dynamics Town and Regional Planners to conduct a cultural heritage impact assessment (HIA) for the proposed new Mayflower Police Station. This is at Empuluzi in the Mpumalanga Province.
Project description:
The project entails the building of a new police station. At first three sites were identified. These were assessed via desktop studies. The decision was then made that site C was the one to be utilised and therefore this site had to be surveyed.
Methodology:
The methodology for the study includes a survey of literature and a field survey. The latter was conducted according to generally accepted HIA practices and was aimed at locating all possible objects, sites and features of cultural significance in the area of proposed development.
If required, the location/position of any site was determined by means of a Global Positioning System (GPS), while photographs were also taken where needed. The survey was undertaken by doing a physical survey via off-road vehicle and on foot and covered as much as possible of the area to be studied. Certain factors, such as accessibility, density of vegetation, etc. may however influence the coverage.
All sites, objects, features and structures identified were documented according to the general minimum standards accepted by the archaeological profession. Co-ordinates of individual localities were determined by means of the Global Positioning System (GPS). The information was added to the description in order to facilitate the identification of each locality.
Public consultation:
General public consultation will be done by Urban Dynamic. No comments were received.
Findings:
The survey of the indicated area was completed successfully. No heritage resources were identified.
The following is recommended:
- This report is seen as ample mitigation.
- It means that the proposed development may continue.
- No structures older than 60 years were identified in the surveyed area and therefore no further consent is needed in this regard.
- It should be noted that the subterranean presence of archaeological and/or historical sites, features or artifacts is always a distinct possibility. It is possible that some sites may only become known later on. Operating controls and monitoring should therefore be aimed at the possible unearthing of such features. Care should therefore be taken when development commences that if any of these are discovered, a qualified archaeologist be called in to investigate the occurrence.