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Site and People records
Twyfelfontein 534 I
Site

Brief description of site: NAM TWT1 consists of a huge stand-alone block-like outlier of Etjo sandstone. This vast block of rock has several components with a spire-like element in the centre and rock jumble to the west, and large rock shelters to the east and south. The site has good views to the north and east and a seasonal river flows after rains 30 m north of the site. The site is located on the flat section 80 m away from the slope of the upland on the 550 m contour. There is a noticeable echo in the south-west of the site.

All around this site and especially in the eastern and southern rock shelters, there are numerous 'lithics' or stone tools of every description on the surface of the site. These lithics all belong to the Later Stone Age, which covers the period from about 25 000 years ago until historic times. The raw materials used for these lithics are varied. Most of these are made from white quartzite. There are also opalines - a crypto-crystalline silicate rock that forms in volcanic pipes and which then occurs either as nodules in rock strata or get washed down streams. There is also hornfels (also known as lydianite or indurated shale). This raw material is everywhere available in the form of river cobbles. Every stage of stone tool manufacture is present at this site. There are cores - large lumps of rock from which stone tools are made. There are flakes - general-purpose cutting tools. Adzes are present and were used for woodworking in much the same way as a spokeshave. End and side-scrapers, often in the shape of a thumbnail were used to prepare leather. There are also rare burins and awls - used to pierce. In addition to the stone tools, there are small pieces of grit-tempered, undecorated pottery fragments. There is also some bone and charcoal and a few metal items of recent vintage. The pottery may belong to herders or early farmers who used the site. The depth of deposit in the site is hard to determine because of its size and because of the hard, consolidated earth, but it does exceed 400 mm in places, especially in the eastern shelter. There are some flat abraded patches that represent rock on which material such as plant food and possibly ochre was ground fine. Worryingly, the southern shelter's surface scatter has been severely displaced by an attempt to clear this site's floor and the surface artefacts occur like tide marks on the margins of the shelter. The site is home to Bushman and Khoekhoen rock engravings, Bushman rock paintings and cupules.
Brief description of art: There are approximately 65 images at this site.

Northern side: This side is notable for the two giraffe engraved there in a fine pecked-infill, each with a strange proboscis continuing from its snout (not a nasal or oral emission- animal 660 mm long). There is one large giraffe 560 mm x 400 mm long in a deep pecked outline and a partial pecked infill. The big head is emphasised as are the chest, head and rump in a manner that may be termed the 'Twyfelfontein manner' or style. There are also two pulses of geometric engravings here - probably made by Khoekhoen herders - which consist of joined and multiple circles as well as a 'half-dumbbell' motif.

Eastern side: There are two deep pecked outline and one fine-pecked infill zebra engraved with a 340 mm long wildebeest of buffalo image. There is a 510 mm tall pecked outline giraffe that looks to have been renewed by re-pecking and has algae or lichen growing on it. There is a thick curved pecked area below an area of natural grooves. A small 320 mm x 400 mm remnant of case-hardened Etjo sandstone bears the remains of red rock paintings in the form of two human torsos and a black quadruped body. In the northern and deeper part of the shelter is a 1.2 m x 0.4 m cluster of rock paintings: a 530 mm tall finely painted white giraffe with intricate patterning and red dorsal stripe. Nest to it is a 310 mm tall human figure with arms raised and painted all in red. There are also two white gnu-like animals. There are a further three red blobs, a black anima, remains of a red animal and two black human figures. Above and to the right of this image cluster there are 6 incised equids, of which is definitely a representation of a zebra (210 mm long) as well as a possible foal. Interestingly, these incised equids have been engraved on a piece of rock that has zebra-like patterning. Below these images is a rough pecked infill zebra with snout, a smaller pecked infill animal and a 3-toed engraved footprint.

Southern side: This is a large shelter, very high and voluminous. This shelter connect to the northern side via long natural passage between the split rock. On the western wall of this passage are several engravings. First, just above eye level there is a double row of at least 12 opposed depressions that are probably cupules, measuring between 18.2 mm - 25.2 mm diameter and 3 mm - 4 mm depth. 'Cupules' are small, semi-hemispherical hollows that humans have ground into or pecked out of the rock - - similar shape and size to half a ping pong ball. Cupules are not grinding hollows as they are either usually too small or they occur on very steeply sloping surfaces. The meaning of cupules is, as yet, unclear, but they seem to represent a way to mark certain categories of space and place. 2 m deeper into the passage there are three large pecked outline engravings - a 940 mm x 620 mm black rhino, a 310 mm x 280 mm antelope (?springbok) and a 200 mm x 110 mm ostrich that has been re-scratched.

Western side: In this rock jumble there is a large rock that has slipped and fallen onto another rock, leaving a narrow triangular gap between the two. On the uppermost surface of the lower rock is an interesting 1.9 m x 0.9 m (the rest of the case hardened upper rock surface is missing) cluster of geometric imagery that was probably made by the Khoekhoen. This collection of circles within circles and clusters of cupules within circles is very particular and reminiscent of the geometric imagery on the 'Dancing Kudu' engraved and abraded at the main site complex. These cupules are between 16 mm - 42.7 mm diameter and 2.7 mm - 8 mm deep. Two of the circular motifs - in rough pecked infill & outline have short 'tails' coming off them. There is a crescentic arc of 6 dot-cupules. There are episodic engravings on the loose rocks. High on the southern end of the big central rock bloc there are three engraved zebra - one of which has no head and a scratched-in body. These zebra 430 mm and 370 mm long, have a deep pecked outline and lighter infill pecked interior.

Twyfelfontein 534 II
Site

Brief description of site: The site consists of a large jumble of rock blocks at the foot of an upland in a small valley at the head of and to the north-west of the Valley, 3 km from the main site complex. A seasonal watercourse runs around the western base of the rocks. There are good views to the north and east. The dry waterfall to the north-east is meant to have a site located above it.

In the cave section of the site there seems to be a good depth of archaeological deposit - perhaps as much as 1 m of soft, fine material.
Brief description of art: There are over 175 individual engravings here located in half-a-dozen main areas. Scherz has counted 5 handprints, 32 human footprints, 3 rhino, 4 giraffe, 5 zebra, 15 buck, 9 ostrich, 5 elephant, 85 animal spoor of rhino, giraffe, lion, zebra, leopard, kudu, oryx, small antelope, 8 wildebeest, 1 eland and 11 ostrich. The rock engravings are dominantly

Bushman-authored with some KhoeKhoen influence. There are also Bushman rock paintings in the cave.

Main image cluster: On one of the largest vertical and horizontal rock expanses is the densest and most extensive engraved image cluster measuring 5.4 m x 1.6 m. The subject matter is primarily fine pecked infill animals, animal spoor, human footprints and cupule-like motifs. The 'cupule's are arranged in single and parallel horizontal rows of, for example, 4 rows with 24, 27, 28 and 25 individual cupules. The cupules are between 6 mm - 22.5 mm in diameter and 3 - 18.5 mm in depth. These 'cupules' may represent the work of Khoekhoen herders, who also made finger paintings with the tips of their fingers and arranged these fingertip marks in similar parallel rows. Also, the five handprints - 2 smallest measure 100 mm and 70 mm - may also represent Khoekhoen work as they often made handprint with paint by smearing the palm and fingers with paint and then pressing the hand to the rock face. This engraved variant is rare. Animal imagery includes antelope (< 5), elephant (< 6); giraffe (< 2); rhino (<2) and zebra (<5). Of the at least 20 human footprints there is a huge 440 mm x 210 mm 6-toed example engraved in fine-pecked outline. There are over 40 animal spoor, of which 6 are clearly feline, 1 zebra and 1 possibly rhino. The tip of all the antelope spoor points downwards, towards the ground while the other spoor are the 'right way' up. 1 human footprint has 3 cupules in a row engraved at its heel. Many of the equid engravings have a very long snout - like some of the Brandberg's Domschlucht engravings. There is one possible phallus motif depicted on the main cluster an on the section where the archway begins there are two rows of 6 and 2 phallus-like motifs as well as a possible spoor engraving and a recent ostrich engraving.

Archway: There is a pecked antelope spoor and 3 cupules (17 mm - 67 mm diameter) and 5.5 mm - 28.5 mm deep) and a circular pecked outline. On the opposite side is a modern engraved butterfly.

Image cluster past the Archway: This is viewed from the central area within the archway and measures 2.3 m x 2.1m and which consists of 3 very large giraffe (largest 1130 mm x 310 mm) in a deep pecked outline and lighter pecked infill technique. The leftmost giraffe has a very exaggerated and thin 560 mm long neck. And is superimpose don top of an equid, probably a zebra. There is also 1 thin, 4 ostrich, 11 zebra, 2 other equids, 2 possible jackals with two of these being joined in mid-abdomen, giving the impression of a mirror-imaged animal.

Wall outside the cave: There are three distinct patches of parallel rows of horizontal lines of deep, sharp, cupule-like lines and possibly a fourth such row. The larger punctates are all above smaller such punctates. Middle such cluster is 1.2 m x 0.5 m. These I term 'punctates' rather than cupules because they are not round but tear-shaped and have sharp edges and a deep, pointed interior. They are about 15% longer than they are wide. They measure between 2.5 mm - 15.5 mm in diameter and are between 1 mm - 11 mm deep. Immediately above the inner cave and also a deep pecked outline and infill zebra.

Cave: There remains the white torso of a long-necked equid, perhaps a ?zebra, on one of the onion-skin-like flakes of the small (2.1 m x 1.5 m x 1 m) cave. There are some other smudges of red suggestive of the torsos of human figures. There may have been more Bushman rock paintings on rock slabs that have since fallen off the cave wall.

West side of main image cluster: Behind the main image cluster there is a jumble of smaller rocks with imagery such as a boulder bearing 5 pecked-infill ostrich, 1 of which has a very wiggly neck that seems to join to an animal head. Another ostrich is joined to a squarish motif and 3 possible human figures are close by. Further, there is 1 block-like animal and two indeterminate pecked outline animals. There is an heart-shaped and a square motif. On a facing rock there are 5 very weathered equids. Back of an adjacent boulder are two pecked infill equids and a long line.

Eastern side of the site: Here the imagery is most dispersed. There are 3 very finely pecked-infill equids and a possible roan antelope with very deeply pecked outline. There is 1 weathered and fat 360 mm x 230 mm eland that faces 2 fine partially pecked-infill ostriches and some scrape marks. . facing the Main image cluster is a big 940 mm x 650 mm bull giraffe in deep pecked-outline and partial pecked-infill. The peck marks are very punctate. A second giraffe and a good pecked infill rhino spoor on top of the giraffe are associated with a feline spoor. Possible third and smaller giraffe.

Twyfelfontein 534 III
Site

Brief description of site: This site consists of a noticeable cluster of sandstone blocs between the large dry riverbed and the lower slopes of the valley sides on the 600 m contour. There is a dirt track, quite well-used, leading almost directly to the site. The hiking trail also passes directly past the site. The cluster of sandstone blocs offers a number of passageways and cave-like spaces. No sight line to the main site but good views to the north and east.

There is a very extensive surface scatter of quartzite and hornfels stone tools, concentrating at several of the cave-like spaces. There is also a noticeable presence of ostrich eggshell fragments and a few partly-worked such beads. Over the river on the valley floodplain/floor, there are numerous circular depressions, though it is not known whether these are cause by a natural or a human agency.
Brief description of art: Bushman rock engravings occur at at least 9 localities at this site complex and number perhaps 150-175 individual images. The central twice-split rock stack and the large angled rock table to its south-west have the densest concentration of imagery.

Central twice-split rock bloc: The dominant image cluster has dimensions of 2.5 m x 2.2 m cluster. The engravings are all pecked with combination of outline, infill and deeper outline with lighter infill. 6 giraffe (up to 880 mm tall), 4 rhino - one of which is white - 2 oryx, 16 other animals - probably zebra. More than 15 antelope spoor (aligned 'right way up' unlike Zeremonienplatz), 7 of which are very deeply engraved and the largest has dimensions of 110 mm x 105 mm. There is one zebra spoor. There are two cases of superimpositioning - in both cases zebra have been engraved on top of a rhino and a zebra respectively. There is one 4-toed human footprint.

Main cluster annexe: Here we encounter 11 animals - 2 giraffe (770 mm tall), 2 zebra, 1 ostrich, 7 spoor (one of which is zebra and the rest antelope), 4 cupules. On lower, 60° sloping rock in the tight squeeze section that has 4 other animals engraved and at least 40 cupules that are between 25.5 mm - 45.5 mm in diameter and between 3 mm - 8 mm deep. These latter images are in a very awkward position and would have been so also for the engraver.
Passageway behind main image cluster: On the eastern side of the largest passage through twice-split rock are 12 animals engraved with a deep pecked outline and lighter pecked infill. There is an equid with partial pecked infill. 9 equids, 6 of which have the 'three-pronged' head. 1 very good kudu bull with characteristic curly horns and 1 giraffe with fat belly and rudimentary legs. There is one possible bird engravings and a square motif. On the facing, western part of the passageway at the southern end there are 2 rough-pecked giraffe and 3 rough-pecked partial-infill equids, an antelope and an antelope spoor.

Rear vertical cluster: The back or western side of twice-split rock has two components - a vertical wall and a collapsed horizontal slab. The vertical wall has nearly two dozen pecked outline and pecked infill animals, mostly in deep pecked outline and rough pecked infill. There are 10 giraffe, 1 ostrich and 12 other animals - all equids. This imagery covers 4.7 m x 1.9 m of vertical wall.

Rear horizontal cluster: On a 20° sloping surface is an engraved cluster covering 2.9 m x 5.4 m and bears over 40 engraved animals- 18 giraffe, 3 black rhino, 21 equids, 3 of which are horned, 2 white rhino, 1 giraffe with good patterning on the neck, 19 buck, 2 elephant, 4 ostrich, and 22 large cupules, some of which are superimpose don top of the engravings. The cupules have diameters of between 23 mm - 64 mm and depths of between 8 mm - 18.5 mm with flat bottoms where the engraved has gone through the thin outer layer of Etjo sandstone into the layer beneath. 1 rhino has 160 mm long horn. There is a cluster of spoor - rhino, giraffe, antelope, equid and 1 human footprint. 1 giraffe has outstretched front legs. On the side of this collapsed rock are two antelope engraved.

Cave behind central twice-split rock bloc: Immediately behind and steeply upslope of the main site pulse is a cave-like space. Engraved into/out of the vertical cave walls is an antelope and an ostrich in a deep pecked-infill technique, a more lightly engraved equid and 3 unidentifiable quadruped animals. On the smoother northern cave wall ceiling is a carefully engraved antelope spoor and two pecked infill animal engravings. Opposite is a pecked-infill giraffe engraving whose feet end in spoor, which are shown in twisted perspective.

SW large sloping surface: Immediately SW of the central twice-split rock bloc is a huge angled slope of rock slab abutting another more squat rock bloc. Over two dozen engravings including: a fat 680 mm x 540 mm ostrich, a giraffe, 17 equids in pecked-infill, pecked-outline and partial pecked-infill. There is one equid 'mother/parent -and-child' grouping. 1 partial pecked-infill oryx. 1 very large spoor. These engravings all made with a large, punctate peck, somewhat less fine than at the main site complex. 7 further animals beyond and a 175 mm x 140 mm spoor. On opposite and vertical slope there are 2 giraffe, 2 equids, 1 very fat animal and an excellent twirly-horned kudu bull with an oryx and another animal.

Other: here and there on outlying rock blocs there are isolated engravings, some only partially completed.

Twyfelfontein 534 IV
Site

Brief description of site: On the same contour and approximately 150 m south-west of the NAM TWT3, also sandwiched between the riverbed and valley sides is a large, dark upright boulder against which another leans on it lower part. The upright boulder faces onto the valley.

There are sparsely scattered hornfels and quartzite flakes on the surface but seems not to have been a living site and perhaps more of a 'marker' site, highlighting or nuancing a route.
Brief description of art: There is a 1.9 m x 2.53 m image cluster that consists of 2 giraffe in a fine and partial pecked infill with little weathering and relatively fresh-looking. Is a possible third and less fine giraffe. 2 other giraffe and 3 very rudimentary animals. 1 partial pecked infill rhino engraving. There appear to be two episodes of engraving - one older and finer and another more recent and less fine attempt for the small, jackal-like animals.

Twyfelfontein 534 IX
Site

Brief description of site: There is another, smaller flat living area immediately south of NAM TWT8. Though less expansive, this area is a very localised landscape with many rock blocs, passage-like spaces and an amazing echo. On the western edge, this area is defined by the most huge upstanding rock blocs at NAM TWT.

The painted Affenblock, which has the single rock painting, was excavated by dr. Eric Wendt, who found sparse cultural remains to a depth of about 300 mm. There are stone tools and ostrich eggshell fragments visible in most places as well as stone alignments that may represent Khoekhoen hut circles.
Brief description of art: This area has a single Bushman rock paintings, over 250 Bushman rock engravings and perhaps 40 Khoekhoen rock engravings. There are numerous findspots, 8 of which are mentioned here.

Upslope giraffe site: High up on the western slope of the valley side is an upright sandstone slab on which there is a very clear giraffe pecked in deep outline and partial infill. Two other partial pecked-infill giraffe are placed to the right of this giraffe as well as a fourth, smaller animal. The visible giraffe may have been re-pecked.

Affenblock: In the centre of the living area is a small rock shelter with an ocular passageway connecting the two lobes of the larger site's living area. In this rock shelter there is a single 400 mm human figure in a standing/walking posture painted in red. 2 m opposite this Bushman rock painting on a vertical shelter wall is a collection of engraved imagery comprising fine pecked-infill broad-horned antelope, 11 ostrich, a feline spoor with claws extended, a human figure, giraffe and 22 cupules arranged in two parallel rows. These cupules are between 26 mm - 35 mm in diameter and between 3.5 mm - 8 mm deep.

East & north of Affenblock: All around the Affenblock, especially to the east, are many engravings that are dominated by ostrich, at least 3 of which have feet shown in a twisted perspective as though they were spoor. There is a lot of spoor imagery; especially antelope and giraffe. Most of the engravings have been depicted in fine pecked-infill, sometimes with a deeper outline. Giraffe also feature prominently, with a particularly good example being found on the back, eastern side of the large rock bloc. On top of this rock bloc there are also giraffe engravings, spoor and zebra. To the north and west of the Affenblock on a 65° sloping sandstone block are some very good giraffe engravings; one of which as a triple wavy line associated with its head. To the left is a very fine engraved and abraded and polished giraffe spoor 115 mm x 70 mm. More spoor, equids, antelope, and wavy lines fill up this rock slab. Closer to the overhang are some zebras in pecked-infill with clear mane hairs.

South of (behind) Affenblock: Beyond the small ocular passageway in the painted rock shelter the imagery is dominated by spoor. Behind the shelter there is a series of over a dozen antelope spoor very careful engraved in fine pecked-infill, about 1.6 m - 2 m above the present surface level. There are three antelope, 1 human and 1 equid spoor here. Turning to the west and south, high up on the back (eastern) side of one of the huge Reisenblock upstanding slabs at least 3 m off the present surface level there 7 pecked-infill human footprints with 5 toes each. These footprint engravings are very big - over 400 mm. There are also 6 antelope spoor, 2 equid spoor and 3 feline pug marks.

Khoekhoen shelter: North and slightly east of the Affenblock is a high and open rock shelter. Facing this shelter is a sloping slab on which antelope, ostrich, giraffe and rhino have been engraved, somewhat roughly. Within the shelter on a lower frieze there are 4 rough pecked-infill rhino and 2 rough pecked-infill equids. Above this frieze on a more-than-vertical ceiling area is a series of joined rough pecked-outline circles, identical to joined finger-painted such 'honeycomb' motifs found in the Khoekhoen finger- painted tradition elsewhere in southern Africa.

Oryx-spoor panels: Both behind the Affenblock between it and the Reisenblock as well as on a large 35° sloping slab downslope and to the north and west of the Reisenblock two almost identical motifs are engraved. In each case, in a light pecked-infill there is engraved an oryx with prominent horns. In both instances, the oryx's feet end in twisted perspective spoor, with the downslope oryx having two cupules on either side of each leg. It seems as if the other oryx also has these cupules, perhaps representing hock marks.

Reisenblock: On the western side of the huge upstanding rock blocs (the largest at Twyfelfontein) with passageways known as the 'Reisenblock' there is a large vertical engraved panel in two parts separated by a large, probably collapsed, rock slab. The smaller, left hand side panel is 'protected' by a small engraved panel on the ground on which are engraved in fairly coarse pecked-infill 4 ostrich, one of which has feet that end in twisted perspective spoor, some disembodied pecked-infill animal heads, a circular motif and lines. The left hand panel has engraved on in a very fine pecked-outline, pecked-infill and partial pecked-infill the so-called 'sitting giraffe', a bird-like image and a detailed zebra with mane hairs. There is a 5-toed feline pug mark with extended claws and also an equid spoor. Other, less finely engraved animals on this panel include an ostrich, 3 antelope, a circular outline. The right hand side panel has many engravings such as the odd rhino-antelope animal in punctate pecked-infill. There is also an elephant in a similar punctate pecked-infill. There is a row of giraffe with deeply engraved pecked-infill crescent bodies. Two lean felines, perhaps cheetah or leopard are engraved in addition to 2 other felines. There is a small pecked-infill rhino with a very long wiggly horn. There is also oryx, a second row of giraffe and lots of spoor - dominated by a large punctate-infill giraffe spoor as well as equid, feline and antelope. Two oryx have twisted perspective spoor-feet.

Below Reisenblock: Immediately below the vertical engraved panel are two huge collapsed rock slabs at steep 40° to 50° angles there are engraved antelope, many giraffe - including a very large one -, equids a large punctate-infill elephant, ostrich and spoor.

Twyfelfontein 534 V
Site

Brief description of site: This site has both Bushman rock paintings and Bushman rock engravings. The site takes the form of a cluster of large rock blocs at the foot of the valley wall, approximately 600 m south west of NAM TWT4. The site is in a natural concavity on the valley profile on the 600 m contour. The largest, most squat rock bloc forms a good overhang shelter 10 m long, 2 m deep and up to 2 m high, facing south-east with good views to west and south but with no direct sight line to the main site complex. The mouth of the overhang is defined by a number of small rock blocs that act as a sand/deposit trap. This rock bloc abuts with another higher bloc to the west and forms a passage between the two rock blocs and, indeed, these two rock blocs can be said to make up two lobes of a single overhang. Behind and to the north and east of these blocs is a very large angled bloc that also bears engravings.

There is up to 0.6 m of reasonably fine, soft-ish and ashy archaeological deposit here. The site was obviously a favoured habitation place for the Bushmen in times past and there is a rich and extensive surface scatter of quartzite and hornfels stone tools of every description (see 'Associated Archaeology' of Site 1), ostrich eggshell fragments and beads, charcoal, bone and so forth. There is a possible lower grinding patch on one of the rock blocs at the mouth to the overhang.
Brief description of art: There are 3 concentrations of Bushman rock engravings, numbering about 40 images and one concentration of about 35 Bushman rock paintings.

Bushman rock paintings in Overhang site: The large overhang and living site bears on its back wall the remains of what must have been a densely and extensively painted frieze, which is now visible only in two areas -one at each lobe of the shelter. The largest cluster in the main lobe is 1.5 m x 0.9 m and is located immediately above the excavation. There are at least 18 human figures painted in red, light red, dark red and black paint. These human figures adopt a variety of postures such as running, running and looking over a shoulder, bending forward at the waist, sitting, standing, holding hand-to-nose. There are also two paired and rayed circle motifs that may represent the work of Khoekhoen herder peoples. The second area of painting in the site's western lobe has 7 human figures painted in red and depicted in an interlocked striding posture.

Engravings in and on top of Overhang passage: In between the overhang's western and eastern lobes is a natural passage. On the passage's steeply sloping eastern side there are engraved an oryx, a 270 mm x 210 mm zebra in fine partial pecked-infill, a wonderfully wiggly horned kudu bull that measures 500 mm x 300 mm, located near the edge of the rock bloc. The kudus legs are rather giraffe-like and this engraving is also a partial pecked-infill technique. Higher up on the rock there is an outline and partial pecked-infill giraffe associated with a pecked-infill animal that has lost its head. Highest up is a rough animal made in a scratched technique. On the lobes western and steeper wall there are two deeply pecked outline and lighter infill giraffe, one of which has dimensions of 620 mm x 420 mm. There is a smaller oryx and a larger animal here. For whom were these animal engravings meant to be seen? They are only visible when one is in the narrow passageway. On the western side of the western lobe there is a fine pecked-infill animal with long neck and no head.

Top of smaller lobe: On top of the smaller lobe (access the top by climbing up the western side of the rock bloc) is an image cluster of 1.4 m x 1 m on a concave and horizontal surface near the eastern edge of the rock bloc. There are 2 giraffe - one in pecked-infill and one in rough pecked-outline and rough pecked-infill. The legs end in spoor-hooves, which are depicted in twisted perspective. In pecked-infill there is a collection of a rhino, an ostrich, an oryx and a zebra with a 3-pronged head. There is also a possible human figure and a partial pecked-infill engraving of a rabbit-like animal, from which the site derives its name. In pecked-infill there is an equid and in pecked-outline there is an antelope. Lower down there is another, rather amorphous animal and on the western side there is a rough pecked-outline giraffe-like animal. 1 isolated animal. Good view from this site, but impossible to see unless one climbs up onto the top of the rock bloc.

Sloping slab behind overhang: Behind and about 60 m north-east of the overhang site on a 40° sloping and very flat rock bloc of big size (approximately 4 m x 3 m) with 3 fracture lines through it there are 23 engraved animals in pecked-outline, pecked-infill and partial pecked-infill techniques. Though the peck marks are quite large, they are finely done and the effect is of a fine-pecked engraving. There is a 1050 mm x 900 mm elephant and white rhino of similar size. There are at least 4 kudu, with the uppermost two having superb wiggly horns. There is an ostrich and a giraffe. 1 equid's legs end in spoor-like hooves in twisted perspective. There are six other rhino and an elephant, 2 other equids and a jackal-like animal. The engraved expanse is about 3.5 m x 2.5 m.

Outlier rock: To the east of the overhang site, lower down and about 80 m away right above the hiking trail is an angular rock bloc of medium size on which are engraved two giraffe in pecked-infill and in partial pecked-infill. The one giraffe has dimensions of 43 cm x 36 cm.

Twyfelfontein 534 VI
Site

Brief description of site: This site complex comprises at least 4 locales and is the northernmost part of the NAM TWT1. NAM TWT6 is a large, very noticeable rock bloc with several small overhangs located on flat ground 50 m from the eastern valley wall and has mostly Khoekhoen and some Bushman rock engravings. The first is only 35 m to the north with a very marked and deep overhang as part of a large rock bloc, which has mostly Khoekhoen rock engravings. 50 m north of this site is a small overhang and Bushman rock paintings. 10 m north of this on a localised high point are Bushman engravings. The sites are all located on the 600 m contour and are less than 100 m from the seasonal river in the valley.

All the sites show evidence of habitation with surfaces scatter of stone tools. There is also abundant ostrich eggshell, both as fragments and as rare worked beads. Charcoal is very abundant because modern campers used this area in the past, as it is an excellent campsite, giving shelter from the wind.
Brief description of art: NAM TWT6 is dominated by geometric imagery that is thought to have been made by Khoekhoen herder peoples. There are also some Bushman rock engravings as well as rock paintings.

NAM TWT6 Main site:

Southern side: is a huge but thin rock bloc abutting main site bloc with a passageway-like space between the two. On northern and southern faces of this bloc there are concentrations of geometric imagery. N face has 4 cup-and-ring marks, 2 pecked-outline circles, and rows of cupules with dimensions of between 12 mm 24 mm 6 mm. There are various straight and meandering engraved lines and one circles has two lines coming off it. There is also engraved buck spoor, which are engraved in much finer pecking than the geometric imagery. 1 crucifix-like design. Inside the passage-like space on the ceiling is a pecked-outline circle and two pecked lines. The southern face of the bloc has a very large 240 mm diameter bisected pecked-outline circle. There are also 4 cup-and-ring marks and 1 pecked outline circle with 6 cupules within it. 6 other pecked-outline circles. There are three vertical parallel rows and one another such alignment, this time consisting of 5 rows of cupules. There are another more isolated 2 vertical rows of cupules. There are over 70 cupules overall, ranging between 1 mm - 23.5 mm in diameter and between 3 mm - 7.5 mm deep. A very large, cup-like engraved depression is 49 mm diameter.

Horizontal rock bloc: immediately to the south of the leaning bloc there are two very weathered cup-and-ring marks and a third pecked-outline circle near the tip. 2 m to the east is a 270 mm diameter cup-and-ring mark and two vertical, parallel rows of 13 cupules with 20 mm - 42 mm diameter and 3 mm - 5.5 mm depth.

Western side of main bloc: there is a sloping rock with 2 rough-pecked and partial animals and a 6-toed human footprint pecked in outline. There is also a 4-toed feline pug mark with nails extended. These are typical Bushman rock engravings. Ostrich and equids are engraved on the more vertical side of this rock.

High southern side: Over 3 m above the present surface level, on the southern side of the main bloc there are more geometrics - pecked-outline circle, cupules and lines.

Northern cave-like site: 50 m north of the main bloc site at a slightly higher elevation is a rock block with a very deep (up to 4 m) overhang that is 3.5 m long and up to 2 m high. On the southern side of the overhang is a large 45° sloping rock bloc within the shelter is a 1.8 m x 0.33 m image cluster dominated by geometric Khoekhoen imagery. There are at least 9 cup-and-ring motifs with a rough-pecked circular outline and a cupule as the central point. The cupules are between 42 mm - 53 mm in diameter and 7 mm - 14 mm deep. Within the overhang is a large 3.1 m x 2.3 m slightly tilted table-like rock slab that bears at least 5 cup-and-ring engravings and at least 67 cupules in addition to over a dozen natural cupule-like marks. The cupules range between 22.5 mm and 64 mm in diameter and 4 mm - 24.5 mm depth while the cupules in the cup-and-ring marks are between 27 mm - 70.5 mm diameter and 3.5 - 20.5 mm deep. There is one rough-pecked circular line within an oval. There is also an 'exclamation mark' like pecked design in pecked-infill technique. There is a rough-pecked outline dumbbell-like motif. Some of the imagery appears to have been re-pecked or 'renewed' by persons unknown. The inner part of one of the dumbbell circles has been removed and partially polished - a rare technique that is most evident on the famous 'Dancing Kudu/Fabeltier' and large elephant engravings at the main site. Some of the circular lines also appear to have been smoothed. On vertical sides of rock table there are at least 8 further cupules (34.5 mm - 73 mm diameter and 10. 5 mm - 16 mm deep) and 7 pecked infill lines that come off the horizontal surface onto the vertical. 1 cup-and-ring mark. Nearby there is a partial pecked-infill kudu, a double row of cupules and 2 cup-and-ring marks.

Painting and engravings sites. These two sites are located 50 north of the Northern cave-like site on a ridge. The Bushman rock painting site is a very low and small overhang on the back wall and side of which are painted 3 human figures and 2 groups of 3 and 4 human figures; all in red pigment. 10 m north of this site on a localised high point is an engraved slab on which 5 giraffe have been done in a roughly pecked-infill technique.

Bloc spoor site: Immediately 30 m south-east of NAM TWT6 site is a large squat rock bloc that bears four and maybe 5 pecked-infill engraved spoor, possibly of rhino.

Twyfelfontein 534 VII
Site

Brief description of site: There is an extensive boulder field between NAM TWT6 and to within 40 m of the farmhouse ruin. Also north of the farmhouse ruins on the low slopes there are isolated engravings. The boulder field is dominated by Bushman rock engravings - up to 120 - and by cupules - over 200. The ground is undulating and most of the engravings are located above the tier on which the farmhouse ruins are situated. Very rocky walking with a good view to the west and also a bit south, up the valley.

There is a reasonably even and sparse scatter of stone tools throughout the boulder field. This area has been quite disturbed by farming activity and the making of paths.
Brief description of art: Main cupule rock: One of 3 rocks on which there are many cupules. This large rock is situated on the southern side of the boulder field facing the visitor's centre. On a near-vertical face (70°) are engraved in fine pecked-infill 4 giraffe and 13 other animals and over 160 cupules. These cupules are between 20 mm - 63.5 mm in diameter and between 5 mm - 17.5 mm deep. On the side of this rock are an ostrich and rare human figure. Another such human figure is on the other side of the rock.

Second cupule rock: Located 10 m immediately east and adjacent to the main cupule rock. Also on a 70° slope there are 20 cupules (27.5 mm - 39 mm diameter and 5 mm - 6.5 mm deep) and 8 fine pecked-infill equids, probably zebra. On the rock's second facet is an ostrich and six zebra-like animals and a possible human footprint engraved. Bulk of cupules on the lower surface.

Dark rock: Immediately south-east of the second cupule rock is a long, low rock slab on which pecked-infill giraffe, hyena, ostrich, rhinoceros - possibly with a calf, associated with 2 cupules - are engraved. The ostrich is joined to an equid engraving by a pecked-infill line. There are at least two dozen animals engraved on this rock, most of them very weathered and patinated.

Third cupule rock: About 25 m north of second cupule rock. Takes the form of a thin and weathered slab of Etjo sandstone on top of a medium-sized rock bloc. There are engraved in rough pecked-infill giraffe. Ostrich and ?rhino, a 6-toed human footprint and 24 cupules that are between 26 mm - 42.5 mm in diameter and 8 mm - 14 mm deep. There are some pecked-infill wiggly lines engraved and also a 'cloud' of punctate marks. On the vertical side of the rock are engraved oryx, ostrich and equid and two very long-snouted animals in a very rough pecked technique. Perhaps 9 more cupules and could have been more but weathering has been severe. On a very large adjacent rock there are a further 7 cupules.

Ostrich rock: To the north is an impressive frieze of over 12 ostrich, a giraffe, rhino, 3 equids and a rare human figure engraved in the 'arms up' posture. Technically proficient engravings.

Hump sites: On the hillock above the boulder field are a number of smaller engraved rocks. Subjects include, ostrich, giraffe, equid, at least 6 cupules. The imagery is widely dispersed and weathered.

Polished elephant and recent rhino sites: Higher up the slope above the farmhouse ruin en route to Site 8, there is a large, sloping rock bloc off on its own and to the east. On this there is a 1150 mm long abraded giraffe. This is a very unusual technique of representation, but has found expression at NAM TWT1 at the NAM TWT6. There are also two ostrich and two concentric circle motifs, as well as various other rough pecked geometric imagery, such as a dumbbell and other pecked-outline circles that have been damaged by exfoliating rock surface. To the north of this site is another, just off the path where it begins to get steep near the spring. Here a rhino, ostrich, small animal and quadruped are engrave din pecked-infill and partial pecked-infill. The more recent initials of a person have also been engraved into the rock with a metal instrument.

Twyfelfontein 534 VIII
Site

Brief description of site: Immediately above the spring on the 660 m contour there is a large, flat, sand-covered mini-plateau that makes for an excellent living area. This flat area is fringed by large rock blocs, two of which occur on the plain area as rock shelters, one of which is a large mushroom-shaped outcrop and the other a squatter but deeper shelter with Bushman rock paintings. Upslope to the south-east there is an arched cave-like space with Bushman rock engravings and a rock painting. There is also a shelter upslope and on the north-eastern edge of the flat area. The rest of the area has Bushman and Khoekhoen rock engravings. The view is very localised unless one goes to the edges of the flat are and gazes west over the valley.

Though disturbed by the construction of the visitor's path and illegal sampling by visitors, there remains a great deal of surface archaeology in the form of hornfels and quartzite stone tools of every description; especially in the less-visited off-path areas; ostrich eggshell fragments and so forth. There are also a number of surviving semi-circular, circular and oval small (diameter of 1 m - 1.5 m) stone circles that have been made by placing thin pavement-like stone slabs on their edges. These stone circles may represent Khoekhoen Architecture. The painted rock shelter was excavated by Dr. Eric Wendt and was filled with cultural material to a depth of about 400 mm.
Brief description of art: Geometrics.

This area has both Bushman rock engravings (,50) & rock paintings (,43) as well as Khoekhoen rock engravings (,70) located in five main locations.

North-eastern rock shelter: At the north-eastern edge of the flat living area there is a high but small rock shelter. At the back and to the side of this shelter on a sloping rock bloc there is a collection of geometric Khoekhoen imagery - primarily 9 rough pecked-outline circles, a cup-and-ring motif, some wavy lines and half a pecked-outline dumbbell motif

On the eastern edge of the flat area there is a jumble of large rock blocs and slabs. On one such large slab, sloping at a 40° angle, there is one of NAM TWT's best-known images. This takes the form of a 860 mm x 680 mm kudu ewe in what has become known as a 'dancing' posture. The kudu has been engraved and then abraded to a smooth polish - a most unusual technique for Bushman rock engravings. A cup-and-ring motif in front of the kudu has been similarly abraded and polished. A lighter abraded and polished line runs down from the kudu's snout. The kudu's tail has been re-engraved and there are at least three geometric motifs placed partially on top of the kudu. The rest of this large image cluster is dominated by geometric imagery - probably Khoekhoen in origin. These geometrics are in the form of rough and fine pecked-outline circles, dumbbell motifs, internally divided circles, a spindly star-like motif, meandering lines, a cup-and-ring motifs and 6 very singular crescent-cupule motifs. These motifs consist of a crescent or 'new moon' engraved shape that is surrounded in a circle by 24-27 cupule-like dots, though these are smaller than the typical cupules encountered at Twyfelfontein. The geometric imagery has variable patination, showing that the geometric forms were added to the slab over time. Below this slab there is an arc of 15 pecked-outline circles, other geometrics.

Adjacent rock blocs: Immediately west of the site there is an upright rock jumble on the back, western side of which is engraved a rare human figure, two ostrich in rough pecking as well as further geometrics and a possible human footprint engraving.

Located centrally and further south from the Fabeltier is an obvious squat mushroom rock with quite a large area of overhang with a convex shelter wall. On this wall are about 43 Bushman rock paintings, named after the two cross-legged and seated human figures painted in red. There is a third kneeling red human figure painted with a single bar infibulated penis and busy drawing his bow. Above these there is a row of at least 9 red human figures. 1 standing human figure has also a drawn bow. There is a nice white giraffe with red dorsal stripe and red patterning marks on the body. Its head is white and rather equid-like. There are then 3 small goose-stepping and bow-carrying red human figures. There is a large 370 mm ?zebra near 4 red bags and 4 red human figures with Brandberg-like head-dresses. There are two large human figures painted in red. On the shelter's ceiling there are 7 well-preserved light red antelope torsos and 8 red human figures. On the rock adjacent to the shelter there are some engraved animals.

Archway engraved shelter: Upslope and behind the Zwei Schneider shelter there is a massive leaning rock bloc at an entrance to a large rock shelter that has an arched and large passageway through it. Inside the shelter there is a rock-painted equid and a pecked-infill giraffe engraving. On the massive rock bloc outside are engraved a huge 1130 mm x 930 mm bull giraffe in deep pecked outline and partial pecked infill. There are also 8 other engraved animals - another giraffe, 4 antelope with twirly horns and thus probably representing kudu, a possible juvenile antelope, and equid and a ?kudu with a rhinoceros-like snout and tail up.

Twyfelfontein 534 X
Site

Brief description of site: This 'site' is, in fact, a scatter of engraved rock blocs on the northern and eastern sides of the seasonal river that bisects the NAM TWT Main Site Complex. In other words, on the left of the river looking up the valley slope or right of the river course as the river flows. The terrain is steep - ranging between 620 - 660 m contours - and is characterised as a giant jumble of large and medium rocks. View is very localised and to the west.

Because of the steepness, water action (which is severe when the river is in spate) and impact of visitor's visiting the famous Löwenplatte, the surface archaeology is very disturbed and by no means in situ. There are, however, many stone tools visible.
Brief description of art: This part of NAM TWT is dominated by Bushman rock engravings (n , 75) that are found on about 15 rocks. The most notable engraved pulses are:

Löwenplatte: This is perhaps the best known engraved imagery at Twyfelfontein and consists of the famous 700 mm x 600 mm lion whose feet and impossibly long 480 mm tail end in lion pug marks, which are shown in twisted perspective. Further 'non-real' elements include the 6 toes on the tail's terminal pugmark. In the mouth of the lion there is an antelope, though this may be the result of engraved superpositioning. On the same expanse of engraved, near-vertical rock bloc - located at the foot of the Reisenblock - there is a pecked-infill leopard-like animal, a large partial pecked-infill giraffe, 3 partial pecked-infill rhinoceros (one with a wiggly horn), 18 antelope and equids, a possible fourth rhino in pecked-outline and two ostriches.

Below Löwenplatte: There are two very odd, rudimentary pecked-outline giraffe here (one covered partially by sand); similar to the 'seals' of Dr Scherz and Site 11. There is also an elephant and human footprint engravings. 3 oryx, ostrich and a possible sable antelope are also present on this diverse image cluster. On a nearby smaller rock bloc is a very nice tail and head of a black rhino and 5 rough pecked-outline circles. Another good but old and patinated rhino and antelope spoor engraving. Nearby is a very weathered vertical image cluster on which there is a row of pecked-infill and round-bodied ostrich, antelope and a detailed maned zebra.

Cave-like shelter: A short way (20 m) upslope from the vertical and round-bodied ostrich image cluster there is a cave-like space in which 5 giraffe have been engraved, including one with an exceptionally long neck (420 mm of 710 mm body). There are also 3 equids and one recent attempt to engrave what looks like an ostrich.

Sloping rock: Low down and in the watercourse on a large rock bloc with upper, sloping section engraved. Here there is a collection of 1 pecked-outline and 4 pecked-infill giraffe, 5 human footprints (3 in pecked-infill), 2 very fat pecked-infill ostrich and 2 slimmer ones, a fat equid, perhaps with a foal, an antelope spoor and 4 other animals.

Other imagery: These are located upslope on isolated rocks and include engravings of giraffe, a good pecked -outline elephant, human footprints and some antelope spoor, zebra, oryx, rhino, springbok and giraffe spoor.

Twyfelfontein 534 XI
Site

Brief description of site: On the opposite side of the watercourse to NAM TWT10 is NAM TWT11, which consists of at least 30 engraved rocks with Bushman rock engravings (,150) and a few Khoekhoen rock engravings (,24). The most visually impressive sites are those that occur on large blocs of rock situated around what in the wet season will be water-filled pools.

The context is similar to NAM TWT10 with water damage and erosion though many stone tools are visible on the ground surface.
Brief description of art: Springbockplatte: Located high up in the watercourse above all the waterholes is a large, upright rock bloc. There is deep and fine pecked-infill imagery here that comprises 6 feline spoor, 6 equid spoor, 3 giraffe spoor, 5 antelope spoor, 4 giraffe, at least 10 springbok and a zebra. On a set-back rock facet there is a magnificent pecked-infill rhino whose feet end in a twisted perspective spoor view. There is also an oryx superimposed on an ostrich. There is also a second oryx and ostrich engraved

Affenplatte: Down from the Springbokplatte is a weathered block with several engravings including a rare deeply engraved pecked-infill human figure. There is also engraved here a giraffe and kudu, as well as several animals, an oryx and an ostrich. Springbok and zebra are also present and on the side of this bloc are more antelope engraved.

Halbmondplate: A little further down the watercourse on a very weathered vertical rock slab are some very weathered images of at least 4 birds as well as human figures. There are many animal spoor such as antelope, giraffe, feline, zebra and giraffe.

Giant elephant rock: On the southern side of the watercourse, perhaps 25 m from the Halbmondplatte is engraved on a large vertical surface a 1050 mm x 730 mm elephant in both fine and rough deep pecked-infill in technique similar to the elephant at the Reisenblock. There are also two more lightly pecked rhino, a deeply pecked ?rhino, 2 giraffe, 3 small buck and 3 equids. There is a deep pecked-infill ?antelope spoor and 3 more recent-looking pecked-outline buck. On a facing surface is a deep pecked-infill engraving of a bird-like motif such as is found at the Reisenblock and at Site 13.

Giant rhino rock: Downslope from the Giant Elephant rock and on the same level and in sight of the Löwenplatte is a large table-like rock located above a sandy waterpool. There are 4 huge rhino (970 mm x 480 mm) rhino engraved here - the larger two in pecked-infill and the smaller two in pecked outline. There are also 2 giraffe in partial pecked-infill and 1 pecked-infill kudu with wiggly horns. An ostrich and three other engraved animals complete the engraved inventory for this rock. Adjacent to the rhino engravings on another rock there are 3 partial pecked-infill giraffe and 2 other pecked-outline animals. On vertical side nearby there are two more rhino, one in pecked outline and smaller pecked-infill.

Lower cave: A large rock bloc has tumbled sideways low down in the watercourse between and below the Löwenplatte and the large rhino rock. On this rock is engraved in deep pecked-infill a human figure carrying what may be a bow. There is also a large pecked-infill giraffe, an antelope and an ostrich.

Geometric rock: On a near-horizontal rock below the horizontal rock with the impressive rhinos is a collection of rough pecked-outline circles and other Khoekhoen geometric imagery.

Other imagery: This includes oryx, ostrich, giraffe - including a beautiful partial pecked-infill example (near the Giant Rhino rock), a strange 'tick' -like image, spoor engravings of giraffe,

Twyfelfontein 534 XII
Site

Brief description of site: This site is located further south than NAM TWT11 and on the 620 m contour. There is a good view to the west over an opposing valley. There is a much steeper slope behind these engravings.

The archaeological context has been very disturbed by visitors though there are still hornfels and quartzite stone tools visible off the walkway areas. Water action also disturbs the archaeological context in the wet season.
Brief description of art: There is a jumble of large rock blocs and a localised cluster of Bushman rock engravings (,150) on about two dozen rocks.

Carstenplatte: This is the most impressive engraved near-vertical expanse that dominates Site 12. Names after `H.J. Carstens' who engraved his initials, surnames and the date `25. I. 1948' on this engraved panel. His name and the date have been unsuccessfully covered up by a cement slurry as at the Reisenblock. Before this, the name was whitewashed out. On the vast sandstone expanse is a multitude of finely-pecked imagery that includes: many pecked-infill and 3 pecked-outline rhino, a human footprint, over 11 giraffe - including one with intricate pecked body patterning - ostriches, an elephant, oryx, juvenile oryx, and odd aardvark-like animal, several short, paired parallel pecked lines (?spoor), zebra and so on.

Sloping rhino rock: Immediately left of the Carstenplatte there are two superb 900 mm x 470 mm ?white rhinoceros, one with a 300 mm anterior horn and unusually long tail engraved in a deep and careful pecked-infill. Back lines are quite wiggly and one rhino appears to have a penis sheath.

Weathered rock: Below the rhino is a rock on which there are 3 extremely weathered equids - one in pecked-outline, 1 in pecked-infill and the lowermost a chemically weathered pecked-outline. There may be a fourth equid to the left.

Zebra rock: On the leftmost approach to the Carstenplatte and adjacent to Rhino rock is a near-horizontal rock onto which have been engraved in very bright and singular lines 8 clear striped zebra, a big 750 mm pecked outline rhino, a pecked-outline kudu, 1 pecked-outline oryx, 2 rough pecked infill ostrich, a possible zebra foal and 8 paired parallel engraved lines. The aesthetic of these engravings is unlike anything else at Twyfelfontein and the light patination suggests that these engravings are of a more recent date than most other engravings here.

Below Carstenplatte: On the level area below there is an upright boulder on which a large elephant has been pecked in infill and whose feet end in the twisted perspective spoor view. Tusks and trunk are clearly visible. On the same boulder are also engraved pecked-infill antelope, equids and giraffe. There are feline pug marks as well as antelope spoor depicted. Above are a rhino and a possible eland and a possible juvenile antelope. On adjacent rocks there are ostrich - finely done and recent examples - as well as giraffe.

Penguin rock: Nearer to the watercourse on lower slopes on the river on a 4 m long sloping, 30° rock slab. On this are engraved giraffe, 4 ostrich, rhino in partial pecked-infill, several small animals - probably antelope - at least 5 wildebeest-like animals and three strange animals - two large and one small. These animals Dr. Scherz thought might represent penguins, but these are more likely to represent very rudimentary giraffe such as those found below the Löwenplatte.

Other imagery: Scattered about in the mini-amphitheatre below the Carstenplatte are engravings of antelope, ostrich, rhino, a possible human figure, quite a number of giraffe, a roughly pecked-infill elephant and two well pecked-infill elephant on a rock to the south and west.