AE1037
A report on an archaeological impact assessment for the proposed Kuyasa project on the farms Haverklip 265 IR and Haverglen 269 IR near Delmas, Mpumalanga Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was requested by Cultmatrix Heritage Consultants to conduct an archaeological impact assessment (AIA) for the proposed power station and ash disposal site, which forms part of the Kuyasa project. This is situated on the farms Haverklip 265 IR and Haverglen 269 IR, close to Delmas in the Mpumalanga Province.
Two alternative sites had to be surveyed for the power station and one for the ash disposal site. The client indicated the areas where the proposed development is to take place and the survey was confined to this area.
A survey of the available literature was undertaken in order to obtain background information regarding the area. These are indicated in the list of references. This was followed by the field survey which was conducted according to generally accepted AIA practices, aimed at locating all possible objects, sites and features of archaeological significance in the area of proposed development.
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 a Global Positioning System (GPS). The information was added to photographs and the description in order to facilitate the identification of each locality.
During the survey one site of archaeological significance was located in the area to be developed. The site (a graveyard) dates to the recent historical past.
The site will be impacted upon by the development, if area 1 is chosen for the erection of the power plant. It would then be necessary to mitigate the site.
It should 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 construction 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.) & Anton J. Pelser
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