Item NASMUS-RSA-GRU1-1.jpg - NASMUS RSA GRU1 1

Brief description of site: The RSA GRU1 rock shelter is a very small, narrow shelter formed by a 3 m x 2 m x 1.2 m bloc of Beaufort series sandstone falling out of a discontinuous ridge of bitty sandstone. Large Olien spp. trees surround the site, which is no more than a narrow 0.5 m wide, 3 m long and 1.4 m high passage-like shelter. The site is hidden but has a good view over Lesotho and the Caledon River. Because of the steep slope and small size of the shelter, archaeological deposit is restricted to a 0.5 m x 3 m strip within the shelter. There are some hornfels and opaline lithics on the slope in front of the shelter, but few. One would expect the presence of pottery. The shelter was probably used in the last 200 years or so, though some of the paintings may be considerably older - 600 years. Bone has not preserved because of the acidic soil. There are also traces of historic occupancy of the shelter.

Because of the steep slope and small size of the shelter, archaeological deposit is restricted to a 0.5 m x 3 m strip within the shelter. There are some hornfels and opaline lithics on the slope in front of the shelter, but few. One would expect the presence of pottery. The shelter was probably used in the last 200 years or so, though some of the paintings may be considerably older - 600 years. Bone has not preserved because of the acidic soil. There are also traces of historic occupancy of the shelter.
Brief description of art: The rock paintings are exclusively in red pigment that was applied with the finger and not with a brush. These are not hunter-gather or 'Bushman' rock paintings but belong to the recently discovered group of 'Khoe' rock paintings. The Khoe or Khoi were herders (pastoralists) who kept cattle, goats and sheep but who did not plant crops. The Khoe moved around extensively. During historic times, especially during and just after the Mfecane (period of civil unrest 1790 AD - 1840 AD), descendants of the Khoe - the Korana - moved into the Free State/Lesotho and caused widespread disruption and plunder using their superior guns and their horses. The Korana were very militaristic and feared. They and the Khoe are said the have learnt much from the Bushmen, especially in terms of painting and religious practices.

The finger paintings: The shelter has a 2 m x 0.7 m panel of red finger paintings. There are approximately 45 images. These images show differential weathering, suggesting several painting episodes, potentially covering decades, even a few centuries. Notable images include a depiction of a horse and rider, a long-necked animal (?giraffe), 3 buck; 2 of which have very long ears (?horns). There are at least 5 geometric forms (a circle, 2 rectangles and 2 squares) within which are painted human figures. Some of these human figures (?4) may be women wearing dresses. One of these geometric forms measures 73 cm x 28 cm and has 6 internal divisions that contain at least 8 human figures. There are also several finger dots and finger strokes painted. There is a red paint blob on the shelter ceiling.