During the course of the installation of sewerage and water pipelines on the KaiKai site, we observed thick layers of shellfish remains to a depth of more than 3 meters.

We were perplexed by the sheer volume of these shells. It looked like a huge uplifted seabed formation.

An archaeological assessment of the KaiKai site was commissioned in November 2005, largely due to the rumours that local residents have over many years been collecting Stone Age artefacts on the site.

The study was undertaken by Mr David Morris, an archaeologist at the Macgregor Museum in Kimberley who presented his report in January 2006.

We were amazed and delighted that the report stated that KaiKai consists of a mega-midden, reflecting the lifestyle of inhabitants of the Northern Cape as long as three thousand years ago. (A midden is a deposit containing shells, animals remains and other artefacts, indicating the site of a prehistoric human settlement.)

The existence of the mega-midden is explained by the proximity to the rocky inter-tidal outcrops in McDougall’s and Owen Bay which would have provided then, as they do now, an abundant seafood supply.

The inspection of the KaiKai site has already revealed stone tools, pottery, ostrich egg beads and fossilised bones of terrestrial animals.

David Morris concludes that:

“By any standards the KaiKai mega-midden is an impressive archaeological site.”

The effect of this discovery is that KaiKai becomes a protected archaeological site in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act.

The discovery imposes new responsibilities on KaiKai. The historical data imbedded in the KaiKai dunes has to be salvaged, documented, assessed and dated. Artefacts which shed light on the activities of the Stone Age inhabitants of the Namaqualand coast have to be preserved but also displayed and explained in a user-friendly manner.

The archaeological issue has now been taken up with the MEC for Art, Culture and Sport, Mr David Molusi and with Ms Mary Leslie, the head of Archaeology at the South African Heritage Agency. Mr Molusi personally visited the KaiKai site on Sunday, 26 February 2006.

On Friday 3 March 2006, a delegation of the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), consisting of Ms Mary Leslie and Dr Sarah Wurz, accompanied by Dr Antonieta Jerardino, visited KaiKai. They were joined by the head of the Macgregor Museum, Mr Colin Fortune and Mr David Morris.

The KaiKai mega-midden is certainly an unexpected bonus for the development. Whilst it creates obligations, it significantly adds to the prestige value of owning a KaiKai property. How we deal with this issue will ultimately determine the extent of the benefit to KaiKai and its owners.

Should you during the course of your wanderings on the KaiKai site, stumble upon any archaeological remains, please contact the site manager, James de Wet or Jimmy du Toit immediately.

Archaeologist and coastal midden expert, Antonieta Jerardino explains the phenomenon to Jimmy du Toit with Mary Leslie, head of archaeology of SAHRA, listening

Colin Fortune, Director of the Macgregor Museum in Kimberley. The rocky inter-tidal zone, which would have sustained life on the KaiKai dunes are clearly visible in the background.

Ben Mtetandaba, member of the Port Nolloth Heritage Trust, and site manager, James de Wet during the archaeologists’ visit

Animal remains exposed during service installations

James de Wet, Jimmy du Toit, Mary Leslie, Dr Sarah Wurz, archaeologist at SAHRA, and David Morris, archaeologist at Macgregor Museum, who undertook the initial site investigation

Mayor Dan Singh and Jimmy du Toit during the archaeologists’ visit

Khoi San pottery fragments dating 2000 years ago, on the KaiKai site

Antonieta Jerardino and Colin Fortune inspecting remains with the rocky inter-tidal zone in the background

Animal remains on the KaiKai site, exposed by water and sewerage installations

Sarah Wurz inspecting stone age tools recovered from the site

David Morris contemplating the extent of the KaiKai mega-midden

A whale bone fragment on KaiKai site

Inspection of part of the midden, partially buried under more recently formed hummock dunes

Some discovery caused visible excitement
David Morris, Antonieta Jerardino and Mary Leslie

Colin Fortune and Mary Leslie

A source of hand tools exchanging hands with David Morris looking on

The inspection team approaches a portion of the rocky inter-tidal zone

Sarah Wurz pointing to a significant stratification, indicated by a layer of ancient charcoal

An area on the site of particular interest, due to its abundant source of artefacts