GUIDED EXCURSION: THE ARCHAEOLOGY AT YZERFONTEIN
By:
Dr Graham Avery
Date:
Sat, 28/09/2024 - 09:45
Branch:
Western Cape
An invitation to join an expert-guided excursion to look at some of the fascinating archaeology around Yzerfontein on the West Coast.
GUIDED EXCURSION: THE ARCHAEOLOGY AT YZERFONTEIN LED BY DR GRAHAM AVERY, FORMERLY OF IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN MUSEUM SATURDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 09:45 FOR 10:00
Yzerfontein farm was subdivided in the 1930s, but its history goes back much further.
We will visit:
- Lime Kilns where shells were burned historically to form lime mortar and lime wash paint. The method was brought in by the VOC settlers and these kilns were in operation until 1976;
- The Bakoond Later Stone Age shell middens occupied between 5500 years ago and later;
- Ysterfontein 1 Middle Stone Age rock shelter - 3.8m of deposit dated to between at least 119 000 and 112 000 years ago when the coast was close to its current position.
Along the way, Graham will talk about:
- How the ancient human visitors to the area lived and how old beaches left by high sea levels that reached +7m reflect times when ancient dunes have eroded to form shelters for people and animals. More recently deposits from a raised sea level of 1.5m 5000 years ago provide a small idea of what
might be in store for us if global warming continues unabated over the next few decades; and
- How bone prey accumulations left at their nursery by brown hyaenas increase our knowledge about local biodiversity and past humans.
BIO
Dr Graham Avery is a retired archaeozoologist, having worked at Iziko South African Museum for over 40 years in the Archaeology and Natural History Departments. His research has been on human behaviour reflected by shellfish and bird bones, in particular. In support of his research, he conducted surveys of beached seabirds, seals and cetaceans to better understand how and when these resources were acquired for food, and also studied the bone-accumulating habits of hyaenas, jackals and large raptors. As a student in 1969 he assisted archaeologist Frank Schweitzer in his early excavations at Later and
Middle Stone Age Klipgat Cave (Die Kelders Cave 1) and was a co-director collaborating with Prof. Richard Klein in extending the excavations there between 1992 and 1995. His Master’s Degree centred on shell middens at Pearly Beach and the bird bones from the Klipgat, Elands Bay and Robberg excavations were a key element of his PhD. He was a consultant in the development of the Information Boards erected for CapeNature in Klipgat. He conducted research on bone accumulations at Elandsfontein and was a co-Director collaborating with Prof. Richard Klein at Late Acheulian Duinefontein 2 and Middle Stone
Age Ysterfontein 1. He is currently an Emeritus Research Associate in the Cenozoic Studies section at Iziko South African Museum and a freelance consultant doing archaeological and quaternary paleontological impact assessments.
WHERE TO MEET
We will meet in the parking area of the farmstall/padstal at the intersection between the R27 and R315 (33° 20.063'S; 18° 14.298'E) at 09:45 for 10am on Saturday 28 September.
LUNCH AT !KHWA TTU SAN HERITAGE CENTRE
On the way home (well sign-posted on the R27 close to the Yzerfontein turnoff), enjoy a delicious meal at the !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre restaurant (entrance fee and meal at own cost). Also, view their fascinating exhibits (from human origins to contemporary San life – a compelling story told in three thought-provoking buildings). As a pre-cursor, consult their exciting website at www.khwattu.org
COST: ARCHSOC FEE
COST: ARCHSOC FEE
Payable in cash to Lyne McLennan on the day:
ArchSoc members: R50
Non-members: R80
Those planning to join the excursion should:
RSVP: Lyne McLennan
Email: vicult@mweb.co.za
Whatsapp: 082 896 4924