AE11124

A report on the archaeological investigation (mitigation) of late iron age stone walled sites on the farm Hatherley 331 JR, near Mamelodi, Gauteng

Summary

Archaetnos cc was appointed by Edison Jehamo Power (Pty) Ltd to conduct Phase 2 Archaeological investigations of some Late Iron Age stonewalled sites that will be impacted on by the development of new powerlines in the Mamelodi and Hatherley area. These sites were identified during AIA’s conducted in the area during 2009. An archaeological permit (80/11/09/029/51) was issued to Archaetnos in October 2011.

Archaeological excavations and other work was carried out on similar sites during 2009 for the so-called Nellmapius Extension 22 township development, also on Hatherley, by Archaetnos cc, while the National Cultural History Museum carried out archaeological work on other sites for the Hatherley Landfill Site during 1996, located not far from the area investigated in 2011.

The sites probably belong to the Manala Ndebele, known to have occupied the area before and up to mid/late 19th century European occupation of the area. Very little cultural material was recovered during the archaeological investigations, and only a few sherds of undecorated pottery were recovered.

The archaeological investigations consisted of mapping (with a GPS), surface sampling of material and limited archaeological excavations in certain areas of the sites. The information recovered was compared with the results of the 2009 and 1996 archaeological work conducted in the area.

The development can continue, taking into consideration the conclusions and recommendations made at the end of this report.

Report by

A.J. Pelser - Accredited member of ASAPA

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