Cultural Heritage Assessment of the Proposed Drilling Platforms To
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Cultural Heritage Assessment of the Proposed Drilling Platforms to Undertake a Surface Drilling Programme as Part of a Prospecting Right Granted to BSC Resources (Pty) Ltd, near Mount Ayliff, Eastern Cape For Umhlaba Environmental Consulting CC PO Box 731504 Fairland 2030 Tel: 011 795 3636 Fax: 011 795 3336 By Francois P Coetzee Department of Anthropology & Archaeology University of South Africa PO Box 392 Pretoria 0003 Tel: (012) 429 6297 Fax: (012) 429 6091 [email protected] July 2011 Revised: 22 July 2011 Version: Final Report Coetzee, FP Drilling Platforms at Insizwa & Tabankulu Lobes, Mount Ayliff Executive Summary This report focuses on the results from a cultural heritage investigation of the proposed drilling platforms located in the general area south of Kokstad. A total of 7 proposed drill platform sites were investigated which form part of two separate prospecting applications which are EC 37 PR and EC62 PR. Stone Age settlement No Stone Age tools, manufacturing areas, base camps or features associated with this period, were identified during the survey. Iron Age settlements No Iron Age sites, structures, features or artefact were recorded in the survey areas. Historical buildings and features No historical structures or features older than 60 years were recorded. Graves Two graves were recorded at Target site Aa at EC 62 PR which situated on the periphery of a spur. The graves are of high local importance and should be fenced off as a precautionary measure. Additionally a buffer zone of 20 metres should be maintained during any drilling operations in the area. No direct impact is envisaged on the graves and they will remain in situ. Although burial dates could be established for some of the graves (some older than 60 years), most are located outside of a formal cemetery managed by a local authority. In terms of Section 36(3) of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act no. 25 of 1999) it is assumed that these undated burials are older than 60 years and therefore protected by the act. Other legislative measures which may be pertinent include the Removal of Graves and Dead Bodies Ordinance (Ordinance no. 7 of 1925), the Human Tissues Act (Act no. 65 of 1983, as amended), the Ordinance on Excavations (Ordinance no. 12 of 1980) as well as any local and regional provisions, laws and by-laws that may be in place. However, also note the following: It should be kept in mind that archaeological deposits usually occur below ground level. Should archaeological artefacts or skeletal material be revealed in the area during prospecting and mining activities, such activities should be halted, and a university or museum notified in 2 Coetzee, FP Drilling Platforms at Insizwa & Tabankulu Lobes, Mount Ayliff order for an investigation and evaluation of the find(s) to take place (cf. NHRA (Act No. 25 of 1999), Section 36 (6)). Definitions and abbreviations Midden: Refuse that accumulates in a concentrated heap. Stone Age: An archaeological term used to define a period of stone tool use and manufacture (see Table 3) Iron Age: An archaeological term used to define a period associated with domesticated livestock and grains, metal working and ceramic manufacture (see Table 3) 3 Coetzee, FP Drilling Platforms at Insizwa & Tabankulu Lobes, Mount Ayliff Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 5 2. Terms of Reference ........................................................................................................... 5 3. Nature of the Proposed Activity or Development .......................................................... 5 4. Definitions and Approach ................................................................................................ 6 5. Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 9 5.1 Maps and Other Sources .......................................................................................... 9 5.2 Fieldwork ................................................................................................................... 9 5.3 Visibility and Constraints ......................................................................................... 9 6. Description of Study Area ................................................................................................ 9 7. Archaeological Sequence ................................................................................................ 11 8. Archaeological Context .................................................................................................. 12 8.1 Stone Age Sequence ................................................................................................. 12 8.2 Iron Age Sequence ................................................................................................... 12 8.3 Historical Background................................................................................................ 13 9. Location of Sites .............................................................................................................. 14 9.1 Permit Area EC 37 PR ............................................................................................ 14 9.1.1 Target Aa & Ab ................................................................................................ 15 9.1.2 Target B ............................................................................................................ 16 9.1.3 Target Ca & Cb ................................................................................................ 18 9.1.4 Target D ............................................................................................................ 21 9.1.5 Target E ............................................................................................................ 23 9.1.6 Target Fa & Fb................................................................................................. 23 9.2 Permit Area EC 62 PR ............................................................................................ 26 9.2.1 Target Aa & Ab ................................................................................................ 26 10. Summary of Sites ........................................................................................................ 31 11. Conclusions and Recommendations .......................................................................... 31 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................... 33 4 Coetzee, FP Drilling Platforms at Insizwa & Tabankulu Lobes, Mount Ayliff 1. Introduction The aim of this cultural heritage survey is to record and document cultural heritage remains consisting of visible archaeological and historical artefacts, structures (including graves) and settlements of cultural significance (including rock art) within the defined areas of the proposed drilling platforms. A cultural heritage impact assessment was requested for the proposed prospecting at various selected locations near Mount Ayliff, Eastern Cape. The report is prepared to adhere to environmental impact requirements and for submission to gain approval to undertake a surface drilling programme within the Insizwa Lobe (EC 37 PR) and Tabankulu Lobe (EC 62 PR) in terms of prospecting rights granted to BSC Resources (Pty) Ltd which is in partnership with Vale South Africa (Pty) Ltd. The report was requested by Umhlaba Environmental CC on behalf of the clients. 2. Terms of Reference The terms of reference of this survey are as follows: * Provide a detailed description of all archaeological artefacts, structures (including graves) and settlements * Estimate the level of significance/importance of the archaeological remains within the area * Assess any possible impact on the archaeological and historical remains within the area emanating from the proposed development activities * Propose possible mitigation measures provided that such action is necessitated by the development 3. Nature of the Proposed Activity or Development In terms of prospecting rights EC 37 PR and EC 62 PR a drilling programme is envisaged at selected sites in the survey area. Each drill site will consist of the following: • A cleared area of approximately 20 X 20 m to facilitate drilling activities • A small cement slab of approximately 1.5 X 1.5 m for the drilling rig • A sump of approximately 1.5m3 for the recycling of water • A camp site within the local area for the duration of the drilling programme. 5 Coetzee, FP Drilling Platforms at Insizwa & Tabankulu Lobes, Mount Ayliff Map 1: Regional location of the two survey areas 4. Definitions and Approach - Archaeological remains can be defined as human-made objects, which reflect past ways of life, deposited on or in the ground. - Heritage resources have lasting value in their own right and provide evidence of the origins of South African society and they are valuable, finite, non-renewable and irreplaceable. - All archaeological remains, features, structures and artefacts older than 100 years and historic structures older than 60 years are protected by the relevant legislation, in this case the National Heritage Resources Act (NHRA) (Act No. 25 of 1999, Section 34 & 35). The Act makes an archaeological impact assessment as part of an EIA and EMPR mandatory (see Section 38). No archaeological artefact, assemblage or settlement (site)