The Current Occupation of Kruger Cave, A Later Stone Age Site, South Africa

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jca.43377

Keywords:

contemporary archaeology, Kruger Cave, living heritage, squatter archaeology

Abstract

Contemporary occupation of archaeological sites is fraught with challenges and conflicting priorities. While prevailing opinion on heritage management recognises the fluid and continuous nature of archaeological site formation, the role of present-day communities as agents of archaeological palimpsests is often not adequately acknowledged. Contemporary communities, often unrelated to the autochthonous inhabitants of the archaeological sites, occasionally use these sites and landscapes in similar or different ways to how they were used in the past. Their use of these sites, while potentially damaging to the archaeology, simultaneously adds to, and is part of, the life history of the site, of which the excavated material and rock art are but pictures in time. Squatters who appropriate archaeological heritage sites constitute ambiguous communities under current South African heritage legislation. Yet, their role as contributing agents to archaeological sites is no less real. This article presents the case study of Kruger Cave, a Later Stone Age hunter-gatherer rock art site in South Africa, currently occupied by a lay Christian pastor. We document how the pastor is using the site and offer some thoughts around the nuances of negotiating and reconciling archaeological preservation and living heritage management.

Author Biographies

  • Justin Bradfield, University of Johannesburg

    Justin Bradfield is an Associate Professor with the Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg. His research focuses on the role of organic technology in indigenous knowledge systems, with an emphasis on bone tool micro-wear. He has published more than 40 articles and is a rated scientist with the National Research Foundation of South Africa. He is currently the permit holder of the Kruger Cave Rehabilitation Project. 

  • Matt Geoffrey Lotter, University of Johannesburg

    Matt G. Lotter is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg. His research is primarily focused on landscape-based geoarchaeological studies and understanding technological advancements during the Stone Age. He has conducted research both locally across southern Africa, and internationally at sites in China. He is currently the co-permit holder and co-investigator of the Acheulean site of Wonderboom, in the UNESCO Magaliesberg International Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. Address for correspondence: Palaeo-Research Institute, University of Johannesburg, Bunting 10 Road Campus, Auckland Park, Gauteng, South Africa

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Published

2021-09-16

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How to Cite

Bradfield, J., & Lotter, M. G. (2021). The Current Occupation of Kruger Cave, A Later Stone Age Site, South Africa. Journal of Contemporary Archaeology, 8(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1558/jca.43377

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