Showing 564 results

Site and People records
Pygmy (Forest Hunter Gatherers, Batwa)
Chongoni XXVI
Site
Brief description of site: The site is on a group of large boulders set into the hillside on the same high plateau area as MAL-CGN25. There are extensive overhangs on a number of boulders that meet to provide a huge sheltered area (60m2+) that is hidden from view. The site would have made an excellent habitation site or a shelter/hiding place for a large group of people. The site has equally arduous access as MAL-CGN25. The entrance to shelter has an impressive view over the hills to the east.
Brief description of art: The art consists of extensive paintwork on a number of adjacent surfaces of which much of it is well preserved. All the images were applied by finger in red. The motifs include: concentric circles, sets of parallel vertical and horizontal lines, half circles open at top with single and multiple internal divisions, a stretched circle with internal grid, and a few unique complex designs composed of joined curved lines. The remarkable variety in size and appearance of the motifs suggests many artists. The varied state of preservation is suggestive of a long sequence.
Chongoni XXVII
Site
Brief description of site: A boulder leaning to the south on a steep middle slope of Chongoni Mountain southeast side. Overhang provides 10m2 of shade and protection. Perennial stream runs past the south corner of the boulder. Could have made a small habitation site, pottery scatter on floor suggests shelter has been used. Access very arduous involving a long scramble up
steep vegetated slopes.
Brief description of art: The art consists of 2 large daubed motifs in white: one a spread-eagled design, other an unusual design resembling the Chewa chitopoli (tribal marking). There are also many images applied by finger in red. The motifs include: sets of parallel vertical and horizontal lines, a concentric circle, a circle with externally radiating lines, 2 half circles open at top with single vertical internal division, another similar but open at base, 2 half circles open at top with multiple vertical internal divisions, a vertically stretched circle with two curving vertical internal divisions. Some parallel lines have a brown fill in between. The variations in shade of red pigment suggest work of many separate artists.
Chongoni XXX
Site
Brief description of site: A small boulder near the southern end of Chongoni mountain, at its base. Boulder leans to east providing two small sheltered areas, too small to inhabit but pleasant for shaded seating. Boulder sits among trees and is hard to see, view rather obscured.
Brief description of art: A row of 4 vertical sausage shapes with regular horizontal internal divisions. 2 sets of parallel vertical lines, a circle with single internal horizontal division, a half circle open at top with single internal vertical division, two half circles open at base one inside the
other, various larger filled circles. All applied by finger in red. On a small corner surface is a set of parallel lines partially enclosed by a curving line, applied by finger in white.
Chongoni XXXI
Site
Brief description of site: On a small leaning boulder just the other side of the Linthipe river from Chongoni mountain at plains level. Sitting amongst other boulders some of which provide shade and limited shelter. Painted boulder merely a protected rock surface. Easy access, no view.
Brief description of art: A set of parallel diagonal lines, applied by finger in red.
Chongoni XXXIV
Site
Brief description of site: A large boulder on the lower slopes of Chongoni mountain south-east side above DE55. Overhang provides shaded seating but little shelter. Easily accessible; view into trees.
Brief description of art: Surface open to washing by rain-water, all pictographs very faded. Only a few traces of red lines survive. Surface may originally have been more widely painted.
Chongoni XXXVI
Site
Brief description of site: A small rock shelter (6m2) under an overhanging boulder. Positioned near base of Chongoni mountain south-east side. Shelter provides shade and protection, could have been used as a small habitation site. Excellent view over hills to the east. Easily accessible.
Brief description of art: A circle with externally radiating lines, 2 sets of parallel vertical lines, a set of parallel horizontal lines, all applied by finger in red. One set of lines is decorated with small white dots. Surface quite flaked, other pictographs may have existed now destroyed.
Dauya I
Site
Brief description of site: A boulder near the top of a small hill beside Dauya village. Leaning slightly to the west, it has a small sheltered surface. Limited shade, no shelter. Easily accessible.
Brief description of art: A set of parallel vertical lines with horizontal lines at its top, base and centre, also what appears to be a circle which has been half eroded. Both in similar dark red pigment executed by finger. Also a more faint red circle with single vertical internal
division.
Dedza Mountain I
Site
Brief description of site: The site is on a sizeable (30m2) recessed shelter in rocks at the northern end of Dedza mountain. Provides good shade and shelter and would have made a suitable site for habitation. Quartz, bone and pottery scatters suggest it has been regularly used. Only pictograph site on Dedza mountain; despite size there are few suitable surfaces on lower mountain slopes. This site has good view to the east over valley area, could have been used as look out for people and animals moving in Mwachikula river valley.
Brief description of art: The art is on a surface that is quite rough and appears to have been damaged by fires. The main panel has various sets of parallel vertical lines and a small grid. Higher up is an unusual design involving 4 parallel horizontal lines curving downwards at either end with 3 vertical snakelike lines running downwards. On surface to the far left is a set of well preserved parallel horizontal lines. All motifs have been applied by finger in red.
Des Valley Dam I
Site
Brief description of site: There were no pot sherds visible and the deposit at the site is quite small. There are a few stone tools (quartzite) are visible on the surface from the site downhill. There is a huge concentration of slag below the hill, and in the middle of these concentrations there are two holes, possibly where the furnaces stood. Beyond this archaeological feature is a curious ridge aligned in the same direction as the hill. The site is on a fairly small overhang that forms a shelter with a shallow deposit and does not seem to have been habited. The site commands a wide southerly view over the landscape.
Brief description of art: Finger Dots. The art consists of many monochrome bovine animals and one possible feline. All the images are in red or a reddish purple and there are two apparent shades of red. The images include one overlay feline in blood red above a bovid in red/purple. There are numerous finger daubs in lines. One set consists of 3 lines, consisting of 7 in the upper line, 7 in the middle and 11 in the bottom line. Further left there is another two sets, one of 5 and immediately left another 5. On the far left there are 2 figures in a very pale pink/orange pigment, this might be the pigment or could be washed. The lowest figure on the panel is a bovid (antelope or cow) and it appears to have 4 arrows heading towards it. Halfway up the panel there are two very clear figures, one could be a quiver and the other a bird foot. This image is the same as the 'arrows' in the bovid scene. Lastly there is an antelope figure that is painted as if it is entering a crack in the rock, it might be in flight.
Des Valley Dam III
Site
Brief description of site: The site has a promising deposit with a dense concentration of stone tool making debitage. Scrapers and blades are identifiable, quartz (very clear) and quartzite (whitish/milky). Pottery scatter is also evident, few decorated pieces were identified in the past, but on this visit none were identified. A few pieces of large and crude stone tools (hand axes?) partially late ESA were also identified. A chert core was also identified. There are also upper and lower grinding stones on the floor of the shelter. The site has a similar position to ZAM-DES1 with its view facing south which is restricted by trees. The sight is a large shelter excellent for habitation. There are considerable signs that the site has been occupied for a long period.
Brief description of art: Geometrics. The main section at the west end of the shelter consists of a very large number of lines and circles. The art is quite faint and would merit tracing. The images are done in red and covered by white sediment that is forming over the art (salt and dust). The panel continues for perhaps 2m.
Des Valley Dam IV
Site
Brief description of site: The site is approximately 80m away from Des Valley Farm 5. The site is a deep shelter approximately 28m and about 25m across. In the middle of the main shelter area is a large elongated boulder next to which are two smaller ones. The site has a promising deposit but no tools were identified on the surface, although, below these rocks on the adjoining plain there are scatters of lithic debitage.
Brief description of art: Geometrics.
Des Valley Dam V
Site
Brief description of site: The site is on a boulder with a fairly big protecting overhang. The rocks lie on a small hill that is low-lying and surrounded to the east and the south by a southerly sloping plain. There is no deposit at the site. The ground to the left of the site/rock surface with images is hard and barren. No artifacts were identified on this surface it is very possible that the site was not inhabited. On a separate boulder in front of the main painted surface there is a panel with only one single image.
Brief description of art: Geometrics.