AE853
A report on the archaeological investigation of a late iron age/colonial period stone walled site on the farm Steenkoolspruit 18 IS, impacted on by the Douglas Colliery/DMO project near Witbank, Mpumalanga Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was requested by BHP BILLITON ENERGY COAL SA LIMITED
to carry out the 2nd Phase archaeological investigation of a Late Iron Age/Colonial Period stone walled site located on the farm Steenkoolspruit 18 IS near Witbank in Mpumalanga. This site is located on a narrow stretch of weathered sandstone terraces overlooking the Olifants River. The investigation of the site forms part of the EMPR Implementation of BHP Billiton?s DMO Project.
This work was the result of recommendations put forward in a Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment conducted by Archaetnos cc during 2008, and supported by SAHRA in their Archaeological Review Comment (ARC) on the report.
After a permit was obtained from SAHRA, archaeological investigations at the site commenced during early October 2008 for a two week period. One settlement unit, comprising a primary enclosure and a secondary enclosure (hut) was investigated and excavated. Mapping and drawing of all features and individual settlement units, making up the settlement complex, was also conducted, and a layout plan produced.
We believe that the work conducted, and the data retrieved through it, during October 2008 was adequate enough to enable us to make the necessary deductions and reconstructions. The implementation of the cultural heritage section of the EMPR, taking into consideration the conclusions and recommendations put forward at the end of this report, as well as the Management Plan produced in a separate document, can therefore be completed.
Report by
A. J.Pelser & Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven
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