Diepkloof Rock Shelter has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Sites status (2019) for the important archaeological discoveries that have been made there. Ostrich egg shell fragments with deliberate markings on them have been discovered that date back to 70 000 years, making them one of the earliest indicators of the emergence of modern behaviour in man.
A Diepkloof VR experience was created for the Department of Culture and Sports (DCAS) in South Africa that takes users on a virtual guided tour of Diepkloof, narrated by archaeologist Emeritus Professor John Parkington, who began the excavations at the site in 1973.
The user is able to freely navigate around the site in 6DoF, examine high resolution rock art, and interact with digitised artefacts that were found in the excavations.
Diepkloof is not a publicly accessible site and for this reason the virtual site visit will be made available at public viewing facilities shortly. For a demo please contact us.
Keurbos rock art site has one of the finest examples of elephant paintings in the Cederberg. A heard of elephants with female matriarch and babies walks across the rock face, which also features images of squatting woman. The surface of the rock has wonderful natural colours, lines and streaks.
The site is situated on a very steep slope with no evidence of ongoing human occupation dating to the time of the paintings. The shelter is very private and could have been chosen as a ceremonial location for life-history events.
The Keurbos site is the initial entrance to the Portal to explore elephant paintings in the Cederberg.
Maidenspool has an amazing setting in a valley next to a natural waterfall and pool. Many local tales are told of the pool, where a maiden would lure people into the water, where they would ultimately perish.
There is a variety of rock art paintings at the site with a varying styles. Animals such as elephants, eland and ostriches are represented. There are also a variety of human figures.
