Wonderwerk Cave Excavation Trench 6 Acheulean
Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP)·Upper Palaeolithic·🇿🇦 Northern Cape, Wonderwerk, South Africa
About
About Wonderwerk Cave Excavation Trench 6 Acheulean
Wonderwerk Cave Excavation Trench 6 Acheulean in Northern Cape, Wonderwerk, South Africa is a Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP) cave attributed to Upper Palaeolithic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal shelter mouth 18 m wide × 10 m deep × 7 m high and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at -27.8430N 23.5600E controls access to Northern Cape resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey cave for Northern Cape, Wonderwerk, illustrating Upper Palaeolithic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 25000–15000 BP
- Period
- Upper Palaeolithic (35000–12000 BP)
- Culture
- Upper Palaeolithic
- Purpose
- Seasonal habitation, rock art sanctuary and burial site
- Rediscovered
- 1969 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 25000–15000 BP
Initial construction of Wonderwerk Cave Excavation Trench 6 Acheulean main structure
c. 1549 CE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1964–2009
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Wonderwerk Cave Excavation Trench 6 Acheulean) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
27.8430° S · 23.5600° E · 425 m · 3 mapped features
Wonderwerk Cave Excavation Trench 6 Acheulean — Main Structure
structurePrincipal cave — Shelter mouth 18 m wide × 10 m deep × 7 m high with diagnostic masonry/panel
27.8422° S · 23.5609° EWonderwerk Cave Excavation Trench 6 Acheulean — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
27.8440° S · 23.5593° EWonderwerk Cave Excavation Trench 6 Acheulean — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
27.8415° S · 23.5612° E