Item NASMUS-NAM-TWT7-48.jpg - NASMUS NAM TWT7 48

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.