Archaeological Impact Assessment Farm 109 Dwarskersbos Cape West Coast

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE FARM MODDERFONTEIN NO. 28 PIKETBERG

Prepared for:

FOOTPRINT ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Att: Mr Charl du Plessis 24 West St Porterville 6810 Email: [email protected]

On behalf of:

ITAKANE TRADING 151 (PTY) LTD

Jonathan Kaplan Agency for Cultural Resource Management P.O. Box 159 Riebeek West 7306 Ph/Fax: 022 461 2755 Cellular: 082 321 0172 E-mail: [email protected]

OCTOBER 2009

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Footprint Environmental Services requested that the Agency for Cultural Resource Management conduct an archaeological assessment of the Farm Modderfontein No. 28. The farm is located about 12 kms north of Dwarskersbos and immediately north of Rocher Pan, on the Cape West Coast.

A small development comprising seven `traditional’ West Coast fisherman-type dwellings, is envisaged. However, no specific footprint for the proposed development has been identified, and the archaeological study was commissioned in order to compile an environmental constraints map that would help to identify any potential development areas and to guide any proposed development.

The current zoning (Agriculture) of the property allows for the construction of seven dwellings on the farm, but a consent use application must first be made in order for this to be achieved. The property is about 170 ha in extent, but a footprint of less than 1.5 ha will be developed. As a trade-off, the remainder of the property will be rezoned to Open Space III (contractual nature reserve) and incorporated into the Rocher Pan Conservation Area.

The focus of the archaeological assessment was on an area that lies between the High Water Mark and about 100-150 m inland of the eastern edge of the pan. The remainder of the farm was not inspected as the assumption has been made that this is not the most desirable or attractive development option for the applicant.

All archaeological occurrences identified during the assessment have been plotted, using a Garmin Oregon 300 GPS unit set on map datum wgs 84.

The following findings were made:

• Thin scatters of dispersed marine shell and low density scatters of stone flakes were documented in the sandy back dunes adjacent the sandy coastline in the southern portion of the farm.

• Several large scatters, of white sand mussel (Donax Serra) with ostrich eggshell and some stone artefacts were documented in a large wind eroded hollow and on the steep west facing dune cordon, behind the High Water Mark.

• Possible, Late Pleistocene raised beach deposits were found associated with dune mole rat dumps on the edge of the pan in the northern and western portion of the farm. These gritty, shelly deposits are dominated by weathered and bleached, white sand mussel, whelk, limpet, black mussel and shingle. Many of the smaller fragments and pieces of shell and stone are water worn and edge rounded.

• A relatively large number of Later Stone Age tools (mainly flakes and chunks) were documented on soft, loose sands alongside the eastern edge of the pan, in the southern portion of the property. A few tools were also found on loose sands in the northern portion of the farm, but the frequencies are very low.

1 • A few stone flakes and chunks were found in the main access track that leads to the pan, as well as in the extreme south eastern corner of the farm alongside the Orex Road

According to the botanical report, about 90% of the property is in `good to excellent condition’ and is regarded as ecologically sensitive. The report recommends that the proposed development is situated in a relatively low sensitivity area and proposes a development setback line that is at least 100 m from the eastern edge of the pan, and that all development takes place east of this line.

The botanical report also recommends that a single, dedicated footpath across the pan, connecting to a raised boardwalk over the dunes and down to the beach, would also be desirable, in order to reduce trampling and erosion of the dunes.

With regard to the proposed development of the Farm Modderfontein No. 28, the following (additional) archaeological recommendations are also made.

• A proposed development setback line of at least 100-150 m from the eastern edge of the pan would also minimize any negative impact on archaeological remains that have been documented on the property. It is further recommended that the seven dwellings are located on either side of the main access track, but not more than 50 m to the south of the track.

• The position of a raised boardwalk over the coastal dunes must be determined by the archaeologist.

• The footprint for the proposed dwellings and (any) proposed new access roads (including services) must be inspected by the archaeologist before any construction work begins.

• Should any unmarked human remains be disturbed, exposed or uncovered during excavations and earthworks, these should immediately be reported to Heritage Western Cape (Mr N. Wiltshire 483 9692).

2 Table of Contents

Page

Executive summary 1

1. INTRODUCTION 4

2. TERMS OF REFERENCE 4

3. THE STUDY SITE 5

4. STUDY APPROACH 8 Method of survey 8 Constraints and limitations 8 Assumptions 8 Results of the desk-top study 9

5. RESULTS OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 9

6. DISCUSSION 13

7. RECOMMENDATIONS 14

8. REFERENCES 15

Appendix

3 1. INTRODUCTION

Footprint Environmental Services on behalf on Itakane Trading 151 (Pty) Ltd requested that the Agency for Cultural Resource Management conduct an archaeological assessment of the Farm Modderfontein No. 28 (Piketberg District) in the Western Cape.

The current zoning (Agriculture) of the property allows for the construction of seven dwellings on the farm1, but a consent use application must first be made in order for this to be achieved. The property is about 170 ha in extent, but a footprint of less than 1.5 ha will be developed. As a trade-off, the remainder of the property will be rezoned to Open Space III (contractual nature reserve) and be incorporated into the Rocher Pan Conservation Area. Services, including water and electricity will be obtained from a neighbouring farm (Modderfontein 27) to the north.

2. TERMS OF REFERENCE

The terms of reference for the archaeological study were:

• to determine whether there are likely to be any archaeological sites of significance on the property;

• to identify and map archaeological sites on the property;

• to assess the sensitivity and significance of archaeological sites on the property;

• to assess the status and significance of any impacts resulting from a proposed development of the property, and

• to identify measures to protect and maintain any valuable archaeological sites that may exist on the property

A Notice of Intent to Develop (NID) checklist has been completed by the archaeologist and submitted to Heritage Western Cape (Belcom) for comment.

1 These include a house for the `farmer’, a farm manager’s house and five worker houses.

4 3. THE STUDY SITE

A locality map is illustrated in Figure 1.

An aerial photograph of Modderfontein No. 28 is illustrated in Figure 2.

Modderfontein No. 28 is located about 12 kms north of Dwarskersbos and immediately north of Rocher Pan. The farm is about 170 ha in extent and lies between the High Water Mark and the Orex Road (along the Sishen-Saldanha Railway line) (Figures 4-12). The shoreline is characterised by a long sandy beach and a parallel dune cordon, which reaches a height of between 5 and 20 m above present sea level. The property is mostly undisturbed, although a section alongside the Orex road has been cultivated in the past. A large borrow pit is situated in the extreme north eastern corner of the property and a large, modern concrete shed is situated near the south eastern corner, near the entrance to the farm. Apart from a sandy track that cuts more of less through the middle of the farm, and leads to the eastern edge of the pan (an extension of Rocher Pan); the farm is in a fairly pristine state. The surrounding land use comprises Rocher Pan Nature Reserve to the south and vacant land to the north. Inland of the Sishen Saldanha line comprises intensive agriculture (central pivots). Cattle and ostrich graze freely on the property.

Study site

Figure 1. Locality Map

5 N

Borrow pit

Shed

Rocher Pan Nature Reserve

Figure 2. Aerial photograph of Modderfontein No. 28

Figure 3. View of the site facing south Figure 4. View of the site facing south

Figure 5. View of the site facing north Figure 8. View of the site facing south west

Figure 6. View of the site facing north Figure 9. View of the site facing north

Figure 7. View of the site facing south Figure 10. View of the site facing north west directly east of the vlei

Figure 11. View from the borrow pit Figure 12. View from the Orex Road facing alongside the Orex Road facing south west north west. Note the shed in the background

4. STUDY APPROACH

4.1 Method of survey

The focus of the archaeological assessment was on an area that lies between the High Water Mark and about 100-150 m inland of the eastern edge of the pan (refer to Figures 7-10). Services including water and electricity will be obtained from the neighbouring farm to the north and this line was also searched. The remainder of the farm was not inspected as the assumption has been made that this is not a desirable or attractive development option for the applicant.

The site visit and assessment took place on the 19th and 20th October, 2009.

A GPS track path of the archaeological assessment was created. This track path has been saved to a CD and submitted with a digital copy of this report.

All archaeological finds were plotted in situ using a Garmin Oregon 300 GPS unit, set on map datum wgs 84. About 70% of the archaeological occurrences were also photographed. A spreadsheet of the waypoints and a description of each of the artefacts are also included with the CD.

A desktop study was undertaken.

4.2 Constraints and limitations

There were no constraints or limitations associated with the study.

4.3 Assumptions

Since the receiving environment is located within a known archaeologically sensitive area (Kaplan 1993), the assessment assumes that:

• damage to archaeological resources potentially will occur in the development of the property as well as in the entire duration of the future use of the property

8 4.4 Results of the desk top study

Archaeological research on the Cape West Coast north of Modderfontein, between Elands Bay and Draaihoek, for example, has established that there was human occupation present in the sandy back dunes adjacent the sandy coastline over the last 3000 years (Jerardino 2003). Most of these archaeological occurrences consist of thin scatters of dispersed shell (dominated by Black Mussel); with bone, ostrich eggshell, stone artefacts (mostly quartz and quartzite) and to a lesser extend pottery. Similar-type Later Stone Age (LSA) sites have also been recorded south of Draaihoek (Kaplan 2004). Jerardino (2003) has suggested that most of these back dune sites appear to result from brief, episodic occupations.

Archaeological sites have also been recorded in the dune cordon at Rocher Pan and Die Duine (Kaplan 1998, 1997) south of Modderfontein, while Rudner (1968) described several sites among the dunes at Duinefontein and Die Vlei (Rocher Pan). These typically consist of large scatters of white sand mussel (Donax Serra) with bone and occasional pieces of ostrich eggshell and stone artefacts.

Parkington and Manhire (1988) recorded small numbers of stone artefacts, potsherds and ostrich eggshell in a number of deflated hollows along the proposed alignment of the West Coast Road, between the Berg River and Rocher Pan, while further south, at Dwarskersbos, low density scatters of LSA tools and pottery have been located east of the main road running through the town (Kaplan 2006, 2005). Several LSA shell middens have also been recorded between Dwarskersbos and Laaiplek, (Hart & Miller 1994).

Inland of the coastal shoreline, the region is characterised by an expanse of red sands, bush and scrub known as the Sandveld. Intensive agricultural activity (mainly potatoes) dominates the rural landscape, in the form of central pivots. From the records of early Dutch travellers, it seems clear that much indigenous hunter-gatherer settlement was ephemeral and in the open veld. Most explorers mentioned the large numbers of abandoned windbreaks, which seem to have been occupied for very short periods of time (Parkington 1976). If these were the most `typical' sites then their remains would not be visible in the modern Sandveld landscape of today.

5. RESULTS OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

• Several thin scatters of dispersed marine shellfish and small numbers of stone flakes and some ostrich eggshell were documented in the vegetated back dune area adjacent the sandy coastline in the southern portion of the property (Figures 13 & 14). These sites (MDF36 & 37) are similar to those documented by Jerardino (2003) and Kaplan (2004) in the sandy back dunes between Elands Bay and Draaihoek and may possibly date to the last 3000 years before present. The shellfish is dominated by small fragments of Black Mussel (Choromytilus meridionalis) and limpet species, with a few whelks also occurring. The stone tools include several quartz flakes and chunks, one hornfels flake and chunk and a few small pieces of ostrich eggshell. One broken white mussel scraper was also found (Figure 15). No pottery was found.

In addition to the above a thin, disturbed scatter, of a few fragments of shellfish (white mussel, black mussel, limpets and Lutreria Lutreria) and several stone flakes

9 were documented in a heavily trampled area immediately alongside the fence line, very near the south western boundary of the farm (Figure 16). The low density scatter of stone flakes found, include a few quartz chips and flakes, a small quartz hammerstone and a single piece of ostrich eggshell (MDF29-35).

• A large scatter, of white sand mussel (Donax Serra) with some bone, ostrich eggshell and a few stone flakes and implements were found in a large, wind deflated hollow (MDF39) above the High Water Mark (Figure 17). A smaller scatter of shellfish (MDF38) was documented on the steep west facing dune cordon. Some black mussel and whelk is also present, but white mussel overwhelmingly dominates these sites. Some bird and tortoise bone is present on MDF39, but these may be modern (i.e. non-archaeological) remains. Stone artefacts on MDF39 include a single quartz core, several quartz flakes and chunks, one possible milled stone, a quartzite anvil and a piece of fossilized bone. Rusted bits of metal, some plastic and obvious seagull predation indicate some disturbance of these sites. Rudner (1968) and Kaplan (1998, 1997) both described similar white-mussel dominated sites at Duinefontein, Die Vlei (Rocher Pan) and Die Duine further to the south.

• A discreet, white mussel shell midden (MDF40) was documented behind the back dune area in the northern portion of the farm, overlooking the pan (Figures 18 and 19). A ±15 cm thick layer of in-situ shellfish is eroding from the edge of the partially vegetated dune. Some shell lies scattered about in a small area. No cultural remains were found.

• Possible, Late Pleistocene raised beach deposits (MDF13) were found among dune mole rat dumps on the western edge of the pan in the northern and western portion of the farm. These extensive sand dumps are very visible alongside the fence line (Figures 20 & 21). The deposits are dominated by highly weathered and bleached, fragments of, white sand mussel, limpets, black mussel, whelk and beach shingle. Many of the smaller fragments of shell and small pebbles are water worn and edge rounded (indicative of beach deposits). No cultural remains occur within or among, these shelly, gritty, deposits.

Extensive sets of well-preserved shelly beach deposits that have been documented at Dwarskersbos further to the south, are features of Holocene and late Pleistocene, Last Interglacial shoreline deposits that occur widely in the area (Kaplan 2005, 2006; Pether 2004). These raised beach deposits are of palaeontological importance, as they provide a record of changes in faunal communities with time, record historical sea-level changes, as well as preserve fossil remains. Another significance of these types of coastal deposits, of increasing importance to date, is in the evaluation of geohazards and evidence of earth tremors (John Pether pers. comm.).

• More than 60 LSA artefacts were documented on the soft, loose sands alongside the eastern edge of the pan, in the far southern portion of the property (Figures 22-24). These sands have been heavily trampled by cattle and ostrich that graze freely on the farm. Dune mole rat activity is also quite extensive. The surrounding area is covered in thick Sandveld vegetation, with open patches of sand occurring in places. The stone tools (MDF23A-Z & MDF24) are spread over a very wide area. Apart from one silcrete flake (MDFZ), all the tools are in quartz. These comprise mostly flakes, chips and chunks, but four small cores, including one bipolar core and one worked

10 out bipolar core (outilles ecaillees), and one small hammerstone was also found. No formal tools were found. A number of round unworked quartz pebbles were also noted lying about. Two pieces of ostrich eggshell and two bone fragments were found. However, no pottery was found, although these might be covered by trampled sands. A few small fragments of white sand mussel, some black mussel and limpet were also recorded.

The proximity of the archaeological `site’ to the pan suggests that the pan was specifically targeted by LSA people. However, there is no patterning (which might indicate activity areas for example) in the distribution of the finds and the tools appear to be fairly randomly dispersed over the surrounding area. However, there are several occasions where more than eight flakes occur close to each other (but these have been recorded as single occurrences, such as 23N and 23R).

Eleven artefacts (MDF3-12) were also found on the soft, loose sands in the northern portion of the farm, on the eastern edge of the pan, but the densities here are considered to be very low. The tools include flakes, chips, chunks and one small round core, all in quartz. This area is also surrounded by thick Sandveld vegetation and has been heavily trampled by cattle and ostrich.

• Four quartz flakes (MDF1, 2, 15 & 16) were found in the sandy access track that leads to the pan, while two quartz flakes (MDF17 & 18) were found in the far south eastern portion of the farm, alongside the Orex Road.

Donax scraper

Figure 13. MDF36 Figure 15. MDF37. Cultural remains. Scale is in cm

Figure 14. MFD37 Figure 16. MDF29

Figure 17. MDF39. View facing south Figure 21. MDF13

Figure 18. MDF40 Figure 22. MDF23-24

Figure 19. MDF40 Figure 23. MDF23-24

Figure 20. MDF13 Figure 24. MDF23-24

12 6. DISCUSSION

Modderfontein No. 28 is an archaeologically sensitive property. The assessment has documented a range of different types of archaeological sites that occur between the High Water Mark and the eastern edge of the pan.

1. At the coast, several sites occur in a large wind eroded hollow, and on steep, west facing dune cordon. These sites typically consist of scatters of white sand mussel with a few stone flakes and some bone and ostrich eggshell. Similar sites in the same context have been described by Rudner (1968) and Kaplan (1997 and 1998) south of Modderfontein.

2. Thin, dispersed scatters of shellfish and a few stone flakes and pieces of ostrich eggshell were documented in the sandy back dunes. Much of this back dune area is very well vegetated and more sites are likely to occur here. Similar types of sites north of Modderfontein may be as old as 3000 years (Jerardino 2003). Jerardino (2003) has also shown that these sites are located close to large fresh water vleis or back dune lagoons, which existed before recent potato farming and irrigation dropped the local water table.

3. Relatively large numbers of stone tools were documented on the soft, loose sands on the eastern edge of the pan. Such finds are not surprising, as the pan would have most likely been targeted by Later Stone Age people, as it provided an accessible and predictable food supply (birds and fish), as well as fresh water. Smaller terrestrial animals such as tortoise, dune mole rats and small antelope, would also have been targeted and still occur in the area today.

It is possible that these scatters of tools and the back dune sites described above may be contemporaneous. Research has shown that the period between about 3000 and 2000 years ago was characterised by settlement on large open sites near the shore and where marine resources made an important contribution to hunter-gatherer diet (Jerardino 2003). The absence of pottery on both these sites may further allude to an occupation before 2000 years ago.

4. In addition, possible Late Pleistocene raised beach deposits were recorded alongside the western edge of the vlei. Raised beach deposits are of palaeontological importance, as they provide a record of changes in faunal communities with time, record historical sea-level changes, as well as preserve fossil remains (Pether 2004).

According to the botanist report, about 90% of the property is in `good to excellent condition’ and is regarded as ecologically sensitive (Helme 2009). The report recommends that any proposed development must be located in a relatively low sensitivity area, and that the remainder of the property managed as a formal conservation area.

Helme (2009) therefore proposes that a development setback line at least 100 m from the (eastern) edge of the pan be established, and that all development takes place east of this line (refer to Figure 25). Helme (2009) also recommends that a single, dedicated footpath across the pan, connecting to a raised boardwalk over the dunes and down to the beach would also be desirable, in order to reduce trampling and erosion of the dunes.

13 7. RECOMMENDATIONS

With regard to the proposed development of the Farm Modderfontein No. 28, the following (archaeological) recommendations are made:

• A proposed development setback line of 100-150 m from the eastern edge of the pan would also minimize any negative impact on archaeological remains that have been documented on the property. It is further recommended that the seven dwellings are situated on either side of the main access track, but not more than 50 m to the south of the track2.

• The position of a raised boardwalk over the coastal dunes must be determined by the archaeologist.

• The footprint for the proposed houses and proposed new access roads (including services) must be inspected by the archaeologist before any construction work begins.

• Should any unmarked human remains be disturbed, exposed or uncovered during excavations and earthworks (including excavations for services), these should immediately be reported to Heritage Western Cape (Mr N. Wiltshire 483 9692).

2 At a meeting attended by the archaeologist on 9th November, 2009, it was agreed that the seven dwellings will be not be situated more than 30 m to the south and north of the main access road.

14 N Borrow pit

Proposed setback line

Shed

Rocher Pan Nature Reserve

Figure 25. Proposed development set back line (After Helme 2009).

15 8. REFERENCES

Hart, T., & Miller, D. 1994. Phase 1 archaeological and palaeontological survey of the proposed mining area on Farm Veldriff 110, Veldriff Western Cape Province. Report prepared for Lime Sales Limited. Archaeology Contracts Office, Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town.

Helme, N. 2009. Botanical assessment of Farm Modderfontein 28 Dwarskersbos. Report prepared for Footprint Environmental Services. Nick Helme Botanical Services.

Kaplan, J. 2006. Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment Farm 109 Dwarskersbos Cape West Coast. Report prepared for Envirodinamik. Agency for Cultural Resource Management.

Kaplan, J. 2005. Phase 1 Archaeological Impact Assessment Erf 276 Dwarskersbos. Report prepared for BKS Engineers (Pty) Ltd. Agency for Cultural Resource Management.

Kaplan, J. 2004. Archaeological impact assessment the proposed Verlorenvlei Coastal Game and Nature Reserve Piketberg District. Report prepared for Withers Environmental Consultants. Agency for Cultural Resource Management.

Kaplan, J. 1998. Archaeological study Portion 27 of the Farm Modderfontein E. Report prepared for EnviroAfrica. Agency or Cultural Resource Management.

Kaplan, J. 1997. Archaeological study, Die Duine. Report prepared for Dennis Moss Partnership. Agency for Cultural Resource Management.

Kaplan, J. 1993. The state of archaeological information in the coastal zone between the mouth of the Orange River and Ponto do Oura. Report prepared for the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Agency for Cultural Resource Management.

Parkington, J.E., & Manhire, A. 1988. Report on a reconnaissance along the proposed alignment of the West Coast Highway. Report prepared for Scott & De Waal. Spatial Archaeology Research Unit, Department of Archaeology, University of Cape Town.

Pether, J. 2004. Palaeontological mitigation report, coastal marine deposits Dwarskersbos. Dwarskersbos Erf 276 housing development. Report prepared for BKS (Pty) Ltd.

Rudner, J. 1968. Strandloper pottery from South and South West Africa. Annals of the South African Museum. 49:441-663.

16 Appendix

Study site

Locality Map (3218 CB & CC Aurora)