Survey notes of the Fynbosstrand Archaeological

sites by Jan C. De Vynck and Brian C. Mathiesen

An excursion by the Hessequa Society for Archaeology, 23/03/2012

Image 1- Fynbosstrand coastline

Background

I was asked by Rinie Lourens from the Fynbosstrand development, to do a

survey of the shell middens below their development. Her need for this survey

arose out of concern for the survival of the middens. Human disturbance, high

tides and excess rainfall were the evident culprits and she needed advise on how

to protect the middens from the above factors. Further, co-landowners and

whoever visited the development could be educated on archaeological details of

the middens. I was accompanied by committee members of the Hessequa

Society for Archaeology.

The area is characterised by a steep south aspect. Although the vegetation is

dominated by alien Rooikrans, healthy fragmented areas of Strand plain and on

lower altitudes, dune cordon, are clearly visible. The intertidal zone is clearly

abundant in a variety of shellfish species. This is partly due to the reef geology

(Table Mountain Sandstone), the convergence of these reefs with beaches and

the variety of slopes in the intertidal bathymetry.

Three shell middens(midden 1west to midden 3) and one fishtrap were visited.

Midden 1west

The location is very near to the highwater mark and wave action has

transgressed the site with big seas and extra high tides. The original size of the

midden can be discerned and is quite extensive. A high degree of erosion is

evident from wave action and flash flooding.

Shell: A high diversity of shellfish species can be seen in conjunction within the

in situ deposit. A minimum of 8 species were noted. The deposit depth

estimated at 1m+.

Lithic assembly: Numerous core stones and flakes are visible on the surface of

the site and the manufacture of stone artefacts on site is evident. The nature of

the industry is very simple and on site production for direct use is possible.

Definite L.S.A. origin. This is usually attributed to Khoe-khoen lithic

technology, but no potsherds or sheep bones were seen. It is however very

common to find evidence of Khoe-khoen cultural remains and sheep bones

covering the surface/latest deposits of open air shell middens.

Midden 2

Located 100m? east of midden 1and at a higher elevation.The site is tucked in

by dunes and therefore well protected from flash flooding and wave action. A

boardwalk fringes the site and possibly aids in protection against human

interference. This could be a good educational venue where people are made

aware of the sensitive nature of these sites.

Shell: Very similar to midden 1. The contours of the site complicate estimating

the depth of the deposit, but apparent depth 1m+.

Lithic assembly: Surface visibility very low and latest industry not discernable.

Definite L.S.A. origin.

Midden 3

Located 130m east of midden 2. Recent rains caused a flash flood which is very

evident in the site. An erosion trench divides the midden in 2 sections and the

trench has exposed the bedrock underlying the site. The midden is very

extensive covering the biggest area of the 3 middens surveyed. Due to the

erosion trench a more accurate deposit depth of 1.5m – 2m can be estimated.

Shell: Very similar to midden 1 and 2. An area of lower elevation and

sratigraphy is dominated by Turbo sarmaticus(Alikreukel).

Lithic assemblies: Core stones and flakes are visible on the surface of the site

and are very similar to midden 1. Definite L.S.A. origin.

The trench area exposing bedrock and therefore the lowest levels of the site

show evidence of a different lithic industry from any other seen at the 3 sites.

Image 2 below is a typical Howiesonspoort(M.S.A. origin, 70 K.B.P.+) artefact

and a few more analogous artefacts were seen in the direct periphery of this

artefact. At this point this is stated as an assumption. Further examination of this

site is needed and will be revisited by myself and Prof. Kim Hill(A.S.U.) in late

June. A report will be submitted to the Society and Rinie Lourens after this

second survey.

Image 2 – stone artefact

from exposed layers of

midden 3.

Fishtrap

This fishtrap is a new record. It is situated in the direct area of the 3 middens.

The typical half moon shape is still well defined and a dividing wall can still be

seen centrally.

There are also a collection of 5 fish traps approximately 150 meters east of Shell

midden 3 which were included in Dr Renée Rusts’s report “Significant pre-

historic sites in the Southern Cape 2006”

To the west below Rinie Lourens’s house, more possible traps were seen. My

visit in late June will include a more extensive survey to determine the existence

of other fishtraps in the area.

Location of sites examined

F1 Midden 1west S34 23.420 E21 40.820

F2 Midden 2 S34 23.480 E21 41.010

F3 Midden 3 S34 23.501 E21 41.093

V1 Fishtrap S34 23.488 E21 40.946

V2 Five fish traps recorded by Dr. Renée Rust in 2006

Midden 1west Midden 2

Midden 3

Utilised indigenous vegetation within the Fynbosstrand area

The development from the gate southward is characterised by Strand plain

vegetation. The lower elevation to the high water mark is typical dune cordon

vegetation. Rinie Lourens told me of a few valleys close to the sea housing a

variety of tree species. These would be defined as Strand plain thicket and

forest. Some species can be found in all three differing veg. types, but others are

very dependent on their specific habitats for survival. These veg. types would

not have been sufficient for annual carbohydrate subsistence. A short distance

north of the development, the gatherer would be in the midst of Limestone

fynbos and semi alkaline Sand fynbos. These can be reached within a day’s

foraging and would have added many species with different periods of

availability to the coastal vegetation’s annual range. However, the following

species are typical of the 3 veg. types found within the confines of the

development. Certain species and the description of uses are omitted from the

table below due to the sensitive nature of the information at this stage of my

research.

E – Edible, M – Medicinal, U - Useful

Taxa Vernacular Uses

Agathosma ssp. Anys/kusboegoe M

Asparagus capensis Kattedoring M

Ballota Africana Kattekruie M

Bulbine lagopus Katstert M

Carissa bispinosa Noem-noem E

Carpobrotus

accinaciformis

Suurvy E

C. edulis Goena E

C. Muirii Suurvy E

Cassytha ciliolate Geelrank M

Chenopodium murale Misbredie E, M

Taxa Vernacular Uses

Chironia baccifera Bitterbos E, M

Cissampelos capensis Dawidjie M

Clausena anisata Perdepis M

Cotyledon Orbiculata Plakkie M

Cynanchum obtusifolium Pok-pok E

Diospyros dichrophylla Jakkalstolbos E

Drimia capensis Jukbol M

Emex australis Dubbeltjie E, M

Euclea racemosa Seeghwarrie E, M

Euphorbia cf. Melktou M

burmannnii

Exomis microphylla Hondebossie M

Geranium incanum Ou-Meid-Oppie-Werf M

Haemanthus coccineus Gifblom M

Helichrysum

odoratissimum

Kooigoed M, U

Leonotis ssp. Wilde+Koppies dagga M

Microloma saggitatum Bokhorings E

Muraltia spinosa Skilpadbossie E, M

Osteospermum

moniliferum

Bitoubos E

Osyris compressa Basbos E, M, U

Oxalis pes-caprae Suring E

Passerina ericoides Gonnabos U

Pelargonium capitatum Malva M

Polygala myrtifolia Septemberbos E

Rhoicissus digitata Bobbejaanrank M, U

Romulea rosea Froetang E

Salvia africana-lutea Wilde tee M

Searsia glauca Kraaikos E

Searsia lucida Knakers E

Sideroxylon inerme Melkhoutboom E, M

Solanum africanum Nasgal E, M

S. reflexum Nasgal E, M

S. sodomeum Bitterappel M

Sutherlandia tomentosa Keurtjie M

Trachyandra divaricata Veldkool E

Urtica urens Brandnetel M

Viscum capense Voelent E, M

Zygophyllum morgsana Spekbos E

J.C. De Vynck, B.C. Mathiesen

26/03/2012