Item NMN-WEW-01-519.jpg - NMN WEW 01 519

Brief description of site: The shelter is 21 m long, up to 3 m deep, high and spacious. The shelter faces SE and has a level floor of small rock blocs and consolidated albeit dusty deposit that is at least 20 cm thick. A large fire has been made under the main painted panel, causing flaking. A shelter opposite has stone structures and may be a Xhosa boys' initiation site.

There are visible surface scatters of lithics (stone tools), mostly of crypto-crystalline silicates Also known as opalines) that are volcanic in origin and which are brought to the lowlands by mountain streams and rivers. There are also some hornfels (also known as lydianite or indurated shale) lithics that are made from river cobbles. The types of lithics encountered range from chips and chunks struck from stone cores that are the residue of the stone tool manufacturing process to finished products such as flakes, scrapers and adzes. The flakes were used for a variety of cutting purposes while scrapers were primarily used to removed hair from hide and to soften the hide before making it into clothing, thongs, shoes, bags and so forth. Adzes were used for woodwork. In addition tot he extensive lithic scatters, there is also bone present - some burnt. Lower grinding hollows number at least six opportunistically placed on 4 rocks. There are also grooves made by people - probably shepherds - sharpening or straightening metal objects.