Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
Back
10 Jun 2021

Sibudu Cave finally declared a National Heritage SIte

Penny Fourie (North Coast Courier) Picture: Discovered in 1967, Sibhudu was first excavated in 1983 by archaeologist Aron Mazel of the Natal Museum.

The Sibudu Cave, a rock shelter that lies under a curve of sandstone and shale cliff carved out by the uThongathi River, has finally been awarded the status it deserves.

The prehistoric site, which is believed to hold answers about early human behaviour, was declared a national heritage site by the South African National Heritage Resources Agency (SANHRA) and gazetted on December 18, 2020.

Discovered in 1967, Sibudu was first excavated in 1983 by archaeologist Aron Mazel of the Natal Museum. His excavation revealed that the uppermost layers of the cave contained Iron Age occupations while the layers immediately below this contained Middle Stone Age occupations.

Between 1998 and 2011, Wits University directed the site’s excavations, but since 2011 excavations have been directed by Nicholas Conrad, a professor and chair of the early history department at the University of Tubingen in Germany, under the licence from the South African Historical Monuments Commission.

Conrad has said that few places on earth have such a “complete and wonderful record from the Middle Stone Age” as Sibudu. The cave boasts a long record of occupation between 77 000 and 35 000 years ago during the Middle Stone Age.

Among its prolific finds, Sibudu has some of the earliest examples in the world of sea-shell beads, a wide variety of bone tools, bone arrowheads for hunting, use of herbal medicine, and preserved plant bedding dating back 77 000 years.

SANHRA CEO Lungi Malgas said they identified the site as having qualities so exceptional that it was of special national significance and warranted declaration as a national heritage site. As such it is a protected site and may not be interfered with in any way, except under permit from SANHRA.

 

 

Online Article