UNESCO World Heritage SiteUNESCO Heritage
Stadsaal Caves
South Africa

Stadsaal Caves

Sandstone caves with San rock art.

Location

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Historical Context

About

The Stadsaal Caves, situated in the Cederberg region of South Africa, boast significant archaeological interest due to their impressive sandstone formations and ancient San rock art. The caves are thought to have been used by the San people, with rock paintings depicting human figures and elephants dating back as far as 8000 years. These paintings provide valuable insight into the lives and beliefs of the San people. In addition to prehistoric art, the caves also feature graffiti from the late 19th century, marking the visits of notable figures such as D. F. Malan and P. W. Botha. Today, the caves are part of the Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve and are accessible to the public for exploration and study.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Visual Archive

Gallery

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FileSan_Rock_Art_-_Cederberg.jpg
FileStadsaal_Caves_graffiti.jpg
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Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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San rock art creation

8000 BCE, 200 CE

Late 19th-century graffiti

1800 CE

D. F. Malan's visit

1919 CE

P. W. Botha's visit

1987 CE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Artistic and Decorative Features

Cave PaintingsGraffiti
category

Domestic and Habitation Structures

Caves
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

South Africa

Coordinates

-32.52° N, 19.32° E