Klasies River Cave 1A Howiesons Poort Layer
Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP)·Upper Palaeolithic·🇿🇦 Eastern Cape, Klasies River, South Africa
About
About Klasies River Cave 1A Howiesons Poort Layer
Klasies River Cave 1A Howiesons Poort Layer in Eastern Cape, Klasies River, South Africa is a Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP) cave attributed to Upper Palaeolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal shelter mouth 18 m wide × 10 m deep × 7 m high and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at -33.9670N 24.3910E controls access to Eastern Cape resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey cave for Eastern Cape, Klasies River, illustrating Upper Palaeolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 25000–15000 BP
- Period
- Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP)
- Culture
- Upper Palaeolithic
- Purpose
- Seasonal habitation, rock art sanctuary and burial site
- Rediscovered
- 1967 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 25000–15000 BP
Initial construction of Klasies River Cave 1A Howiesons Poort Layer main structure
c. 1547 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1962–2007
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Klasies River Cave 1A Howiesons Poort Layer) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
33.9670° S · 24.3910° E · 415 m · 3 mapped features
Klasies River Cave 1A Howiesons Poort Layer — Main Structure
structurePrincipal cave — Shelter mouth 18 m wide × 10 m deep × 7 m high with diagnostic masonry/panel
33.9662° S · 24.3919° EKlasies River Cave 1A Howiesons Poort Layer — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
33.9680° S · 24.3903° EKlasies River Cave 1A Howiesons Poort Layer — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
33.9655° S · 24.3922° E