Appendix 8 Archaeology Study
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APPENDIX 8 ARCHAEOLOGY STUDY (2011) Cultural Heritage Survey of the Proposed Gold Mine Operation by Gold One Africa Limited, Ventersburg Project, Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Free State For UMHLABA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING CC P.O. Box 731504 Fairland 2030 Tel: (011) 795 3636 Fax: (011) 795 3336 [email protected] 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] December 2011 Version 1: Draft Report 1 Coetzee, FP HIA: Gold One Africa Ltd, Ventersburg Executive Summary This report contains a comparative heritage impact assessment investigation in accordance with the provisions of Sections 38(1) and 38(3) of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act no 25 of 1999). This report focuses on the results from a cultural heritage survey that was conducted as a result of the proposed gold mining by Gold One Africa Ltd in an area south of Hennenman in the Free State. Stone Age settlement No Stone Age tools were noted and no manufacturing or basecamp site was identified. Iron Age settlements No Iron Age artefacts, structures, features or settlements were identified during the survey. Graves A total of 5 individual grave sites (including cemeteries) were recorded. Note that some graves do not have inscriptions and that in terms of Section 36(3) of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act no. 25 of 1999) graves without inscriptions are by default regarded as older than 60 years and are therefore protected by the Act. In the case of this survey this only holds if no descendants could be located to provide detailed information about the graves. Although no impact is envisaged with the current mining plan any future impacts will result in mitigation measures which may entail full grave relocation. Such a relocation process must be undertaken by suitably qualified individuals with a proven track record. The relocation must also be undertaken in full cognisance of all relevant legislation, including the specific requirements of the National Heritage Resource Act (Act no. 25 of 1999). Furthermore, a concerted effort must also be made to identify all buried individuals and to contact their relatives and descendants. Other legislative measures which may be of relevance 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. Historical structures Site 3 contains a historical house that dates to the 1910s and is associated with a period when the local farmer was involved in breeding race horses. Several outbuildings are associated with the houses. These historical structures are all older than 60 years and are therefore protected by the NHRA (Act no. 25 of 1999). A more recent house dating to the 1940s (still occupied) but which has been constantly altered and expanded is situated adjacent to the earlier house. 2 Coetzee, FP HIA: Gold One Africa Ltd, Ventersburg Description of and Impacts on Heritage Sites Site No Site Description Impact 1 Cemetery None (Peripheral) 2 Cemetery None (Peripheral) 3 Historical farmhouse complex Peripheral (Utilise) 4 Cemetery None 5 Cemetery None HC1 Farmhouse complex None HC2 Farmhouse complex None Recommendations Please refer to Table 3 for individual mitigations measures. Please take note that a Phase 2 Heritage Investigation entails the following aspects: Surveying and mapping of the site Compiling a detailed report of the affected sites Application for a permit from SAHRA In terms of graves it usually entails a comprehensive social consultation and permit application process for the exhumation and reburial of the graves. 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 development activities, such activities should be halted, and a university or museum notified in 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 Iron Age: An archaeological term used to define a period associated with domesticated livestock and grains, metal working and ceramic manufacture NHRA: National Heritage Resources Act (Act no 25 of 1999) SAHRA: South African Heritage Resources Agency HIA: Heritage Impact Assessment 3 Coetzee, FP HIA: Gold One Africa Ltd, Ventersburg Contents 1. Introduction......................................................................................................................5 2. Objectives..........................................................................................................................5 3. Study Area ........................................................................................................................5 4. Proposed Project Activities .............................................................................................7 5. Legal Framework.............................................................................................................8 6. Study Approach/Methods .............................................................................................11 6.1 Review of information/data....................................................................................11 6.2 Site visit ....................................................................................................................11 6.3 Assessment of Impact..............................................................................................11 6.4 Assumptions, uncertainties and gaps in knowledge.............................................11 7. Description of Cultural Heritage Sites.........................................................................12 7.1 Cemeteries and Individual Graves (see Appendix 2)...........................................12 7.2 Historical Structures (see Appendix 2)..................................................................12 7.4 Summary of Sites.....................................................................................................13 8. Management (Mitigation) Measures............................................................................13 9. Recommendations and Conclusions.............................................................................13 References...............................................................................................................................15 Addendum 1: Archaeological Sequence & Regional History ............................................16 Archaeological Context .........................................................................................................16 Stone Age Sequence ...........................................................................................................16 Iron Age Sequence .............................................................................................................17 Appendix 2..............................................................................................................................18 4 Coetzee, FP HIA: Gold One Africa Ltd, Ventersburg 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. Gold One Africa Ltd is currently undertaking a feasibility project for the establishment of a new gold mine in the Free State referred to as its Ventersburg Project. Extensive prospecting activities (drilling) have yielded results that might lead to the establishment of a new gold mine close to Hennenman in the Free State. The heritage survey was requested by Umhlaba Consulting CC on behalf of the client. 2. Objectives The terms of reference of this survey are as follows: • Provide a detailed description of known archaeological and historical artefacts, structures (including graves), features and settlements • Estimate the level of significance/importance of the these remains within the study area • Assess any possible impact on the archaeological and historical remains within the area emanating from the proposed development activities • Propose possible mitigation measures which will limit or prevent any impact provided that such action is necessitated by the development 3. Study Area The survey area is situated halfway between Ventersburg and Hennenman and includes the following farms: • Rietspruit Oost 338 • Rietspruit 299 • Rietspruit West 364 • Klippan 77 • Vogelsrand 720 • Onverwacht 342 • Flippie 738 • Whites 496 The area is characterised by inactive and active agricultural fields as well as other infrastructure developments associated with farming. As a result various dirt roads, fences, power lines, farm houses, sheds and worker accommodation occur in the area. The survey area is also generally open grassland with undulating hills and intermittent trees. Agricultural fields dominate the landscape. 5 Coetzee, FP HIA: Gold One Africa Ltd, Ventersburg Map 1: Regional context of the survey area Map 2: Demarcation of the survey area 6 Coetzee, FP HIA: Gold One