Item NASMUS-RSA-KRB1-2.jpg - NASMUS RSA KRB1 2

Brief description of site: There are a few lithics (stone tools) scattered the length of the hill. These are much the same as those found at Beginsel; only in greater quantity, suggesting that this was an important living site for the San in times past. There is no bone preserved and no ostrich eggshell was observed. There is little in the way of archaeological deposit. About halfway along the ridge at the bottom are extensive remains of stone walls, middens (rubbish dumps), porcelain, metal. These almost certainly represent a settlement of early bywoners or of Black farmworkers.
Brief description of art: There are over 60 San or Bushman rock-engravings scattered over up to 3 km of ridge. The engravings tend to concentrate in the same areas as the stone stacks or 'stapels' occur. There are also 6 Khoe engravings at the western edge of the ridge. Near the stone walls is an instance of historic engraving, either by White or Black individual(s).are concentrated on the western side of the hill with 5 engravings on the eastern edge.

San rock-engravings: These engravings are mostly pecked outline and infill. There is a very fine panel of ostriches with some rare human figures. These all occur on a single rock and may be said to constitute a 'scene' - are for rock-engravings. There are several eland (Tragelaphus oryx) and also smaller buck that may be either Vaal or Mountain rhebuck. There are - or were - two large, densely engraved rocks - one on the ridge's easternmost edge and one just west and above the settlement - that have been severely vandalised in an attempt to remove the engravings. Multiple drill marks are evident but the unknown perpetrators of this illegal deed only succeeded in breaking the rock and could not have gotten away with intact engravings. It is difficult to know what was engraved on these rocks bar a few meandering lines and possible antelope bodies.

Khoe rock-engravings: These are restricted to the western parts of the ridge and take the form of three engraved aprons; also a cluster of concentric circles and 'sunbursts'

Historic period engravings: There is a freshly incised image of a goat-like animal and also a complete 'scene' on the vertical face of a raised rock slab complete with person, hut, rising/setting sun, tree and fire. This may have been done by someone living in the now-abandoned settlement below.