AE862
A report on a cultural heritage impact assessment for the proposed housing development at erf 175 Marapong on the farm Grootestryd 465 LQ, Lephalale, Limpopo Province
Summary
Archaetnos cc was appointed by WSP on behalf of Exxaro Coal (Pty) Ltd. to conduct a cultural heritage impact assessment for the proposed residential development at ERF 175 Marapong close to the town of Lephalale. The site is situated on the farm LQ in the Limpopo Province.
The basic terms of reference for the project was to identify all objects, sites, occurrences and structures of an archaeological or historical nature (cultural heritage sites) located on the property and to assess the significance of these. The possible impact of the proposed development on these cultural remains also had to be recorded and suitable mitigation and management measures proposed.
The methodology used included a survey of literature in order to obtain background information regarding the area. A field survey was conducted in accordance with generally accepted HIA practices and the location/position of any site was determined by means of a Global Positioning System (GPS). Added to this a description of each find is given.
In order to place these finds in context a description of the environment is given. This is followed by a short indication of past human activities in the area, including the different phases of the human past.
The fieldwork undertaken revealed one feature of cultural heritage significance. It dates to the middle Stone Age, but since it does not constitute a site it is regarded as having a low cultural significance.
The final recommendations are that the development may continue and that this report is seen as ample mitigation in this regard. During construction activities the client should however be on the lookout for the subterranean presence of archaeological features. Should something be unearthed an archaeologist should immediately be contacted to investigate the find.
Report by
Dr. A.C. van Vollenhoven (L.AKAD.SA.)
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