Millwood Rock Art
The Millwood Rock Art site is found in the Goudveld area of the Wilderness Section, near the Knysna River. The paintings are found on a sheltered rock surface within an area is characterised by dense indigenous forest, steep valleys, and river systems typical of the Knysna environment. The natural rock overhang provides protection for the paintings from direct weathering, while the surrounding forest and river would have provided water, plant resources, and wildlife for early inhabitants.
These paintings, depicting animals and human figures, are attributed to the San people, who were the earliest inhabitants of the southern Cape. These rock art images are an important cultural and archaeological record of the San’s presence in the region. The imagery is widely recognised as being closely connected to ritual and spiritual practices, including trance and healing ceremonies led by shamans. As such, the paintings are not artistic expressions but visual representations of the San worldview and their relationship with the natural and spiritual environment.
This rock art site contributes to the broader network of rock art sites across the Garden Route National Park and southern Africa, assisting in our understanding of the movement, traditions, and cultural practices of San communities. It forms an important part of the cultural heritage of the Wilderness Section, preserving evidence of indigenous knowledge systems and the long-standing relationship between early inhabitants and the forested landscape.