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 Rene Rustss report Significant prehistoric sites in the Southern Cape 2006 To the west below Rinie Lourenss 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 F2 F3 V1 V2

Midden 1west Midden 2 Midden 3 Fishtrap

S34 23.420 E21 40.820 S34 23.480 E21 41.010 S34 23.501 E21 41.093 S34 23.488 E21 40.946

Five fish traps recorded by Dr. Rene 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 days foraging and would have added many species with different periods of availability to the coastal vegetations 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 Agathosma ssp. Anys/kusboegoe Asparagus capensis Kattedoring Ballota Africana Kattekruie Bulbine lagopus Katstert Carissa bispinosa Noem-noem Carpobrotus Suurvy accinaciformis C. edulis Goena C. Muirii Suurvy Cassytha ciliolate Geelrank Chenopodium murale Misbredie Taxa Vernacular Chironia baccifera Bitterbos Cissampelos capensis Dawidjie Clausena anisata Perdepis Cotyledon Orbiculata Plakkie Cynanchum obtusifolium Pok-pok Diospyros dichrophylla Jakkalstolbos Drimia capensis Jukbol Emex australis Dubbeltjie Euclea racemosa Seeghwarrie Euphorbia cf. Melktou

Uses M M M M E E E E M E, M Uses E, M M M M E E M E, M E, M M

burmannnii Exomis microphylla Geranium incanum Haemanthus coccineus Helichrysum odoratissimum Leonotis ssp. Microloma saggitatum Muraltia spinosa Osteospermum moniliferum Osyris compressa Oxalis pes-caprae Passerina ericoides Pelargonium capitatum Polygala myrtifolia Rhoicissus digitata Romulea rosea Salvia africana-lutea Searsia glauca Searsia lucida Sideroxylon inerme Solanum africanum S. reflexum S. sodomeum Sutherlandia tomentosa Trachyandra divaricata Urtica urens Viscum capense Zygophyllum morgsana

Hondebossie Ou-Meid-Oppie-Werf Gifblom Kooigoed Wilde+Koppies dagga Bokhorings Skilpadbossie Bitoubos Basbos Suring Gonnabos Malva Septemberbos Bobbejaanrank Froetang Wilde tee Kraaikos Knakers Melkhoutboom Nasgal Nasgal Bitterappel Keurtjie Veldkool Brandnetel Voelent Spekbos

M M M M, U M E E, M E E, M, U E U M E M, U E M E E E, M E, M E, M M M E M E, M E

J.C. De Vynck, B.C. Mathiesen 26/03/2012