Karoo National Park

Rock Art Complex

There are four concentrations with engraved imagery found relatively close to each other. The area where these engravings are found is characterised by a rugged landscape of rocky outcrops as well as the shallow valleys of the Karoo basin. The surrounding environment is characteristic of the Karoo biome, defined by low rainfall, extreme temperature variation, and open shrubland vegetation such as dwarf karoo shrubs and grasses.

There is not a lot of research that has been published on engravings made in the recent archaeological past. While some of these engravings might seem to be unrelated to the hunter-gatherer rock art engravings, this view has been challenged by Lupuwana and Hall (2019). In their study of engravings illustrating women in houses from Grootfontein farm, Northen Cape Province, Lupuwana and Hall (2019) argued that there is a direct link between this 19th century rock art and KhoiSan beliefs. They have thus interpreted these women in houses to be representative of the seclusion of the ‘hokmeisie’ during girls’ puberty rites. They compared these representations to the 19th century painted images from the Cederberg. If this interpretation was to be applied in the context of rock art engravings from the Karoo National Park, it would imply that there is potential ritual significance of these images. However, that would seem to be a far-fetched argument to make, in a desperate attempt to find these engravings to have ritual significance. The concentration contributes to the understanding of indigenous heritage in South Africa and represents an irreplaceable record of intangible cultural traditions expressed through visual art. It forms part of a wider cultural landscape that reflects thousands of years of human occupation in the Karoo.

Concentration 1

The first area with rock art engravings is composed of women figures wearing what looks to be European clothing. There are also two additional representations that probably could be a horse.

Concentration 2

Located about 20 metres from the first concentration, this area has similar representation of motifs, but these ones seem more abstract – like they were never finished.

Concentration 3

This third area with rock art engravings is still showing a strong European influence. One of the female figures appear to have high heels. This locality does not have as many engravings as the other two concentrations.

Concentration 4

The area has several loose stones that are engraved. The content of the engravings is still showing a strong European influence. This concentration is the only one with evidence for superimposed engravings.

GPS Waypoints: 32°17'49.3"S 22°26'10.2"E