Egoli field trip to the Limpopo Province

摘要

For those of us who think we've seen enough rock outcrops, there are still many geological and other natural wonders in South Africa which leave one awe-struck on first viewing. The Egoli Branch of the Geological Society's "long weekend" trip to the Limpopo Province took in geological, archaeological, palaeontogical and historical sites crammed into 4 days, over the 24~(th)-27~(th) of April this year, which those of us who were fortunate to be on it will remember for a long time. Our diverse group of 39 delegates converged on Mokopane at The Park Hotel parking lot on the Saturday morning in an assortment of vehicles, and after a brief roll-call and instructions, proceeded to the nearby Makapans Valley, which is in the process of being declared a World Heritage Site. SAHRA (South African Heritage Resource Agency), together with members of the local community, will begin soon to construct a visitors centre with funds allocated by the National Lottery. We were given a brief introduction to the historical importance of the Makapan's Caves at the now abandoned farmhouse which belonged to the late Mr Peppercorn, who was the owner of the property on which the caves are situated. Our guides-in-training then took us on a fascinating and informative tour through the caves, from where lime-working took place in the early part of this century, to the Cave of Hearths where there is abundant evidence of use of fire by early peoples, through to the cave romanticized by Herman Charles Bosman in his account of the conflict between the Voortrekkers and the then local Ndebele tribe. The importance of the site which contains evidence of early hominids and a diverse faunal assemblage was underlined, as well as the evidence of Stone to Iron Age occupation by modern man. Truly a most remarkable site.