Heritage File Topic 2: Proposed Rock Art Project KNP

[micromammal]

Last week was spent with the African Conservation Trust and KNP staff members 3D scanning an engrawing site and painted rock art site in the KNP. A formal project proposal to survey, map and 3D scan sites in the KNP, MNP and Golden Gate is being presented to SANPark management later this month. Part of the proposal will include the writing of management plans for sites currently open to the public (via trails) and to investigate sites to possibly to opened for visitatation. Exiting times for me as an archaeologist!!!

The 3D scanning of sites delivers amazing results and it is breathtaking to see a site appear of a PC screen in 3D (including trees, etc). It is all a bit technical but I can provide more info for you non-tecnophobes!

The African Conservation Trust is currently completing a similar decade long project in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site, its Buffer Zone and community areas. Me field work in the KNP and MNP instinctively tells me that the rock art here is just as unique and much less damage then in the UDWHS. We recon we have around 200 known rock art sites in KNP and that an organised, scientific survey can probably double that amount!!! It is high time that the KNP takes its rightful place among the world's finest rock art areas.

An extreamely important aspect of the programme will be to deliver a digital archieve to SANParks to be used in management, research and even tourism.

Rock art is considered a priceless national heritage and I do hope this programme will procede with all support from the role players and it would be great the hear voices of support from the Forum members too!