Rif St Marie - old houses

More than 2 years since my previous visit to this area the archaeology sleuths went again to the former plantation of Rif St. Marie. This time we were interested in the many houses that are visible on the topographical map from the beginning of the 20th century (Werbata, 1909). 
We parked our cars close to the intersection of the road to Coral Estate and the road to Daaibooi. In that area a dirt road made it easy to walk the first part to the old houses. That dirt road is the old road that is visible on the Werbata map.

First we went to two houses that we already visited the previous time. The one in the picture to the left is reasonably intact. It has relatively thin walls although these are constructed in the traditional way with intertwined branches covered with mud (see one of the pictures underneath this report). 
The other one is just a ruin. An old buoy was used as a storage tank for water.

Through the house we went in the direction of the Pos di Pia (large watering place). This time it was a lot easier to get there than the last time. There is a large stone dam and a sluice to direct the water into the watering place. Currently there is no water in the Pos di Pia. Although it was still early we took here our brake to eat an apple. During this resting pause I went looking for a second watering place that is marked on the Werbata map. I found it and apparently these two are connected because there is a dam inbetween with holes that allow the water to go from one watering place to the other. A bit strange because on the Werbata map there is a road between these to watering places. There is no trace left of this old road.

From there we went in the direction of the other houses. That was considerably more difficult because the vegetation became more and more dense. In total we found the foundations of three stone houses that are marked on the map. In the area there is abundance of artfacts. Strangely enough we also found several large old sea shells. Apparently one of the inhabitants collected these because it is unlikely that this is an indian site.
There are far more houses visible on the map but we were running out of time. 

The way back to the cars was very difficult. It was hot, we were tired and the vegetation was very dense. But we made it. Some of us went home, but Eddy, Dirk and I went to another watering hole to end the hike with some beers.

No rights can be derived from this report.

• In blue the track that we followed on the old Werbata map In blue the track that we followed on the old Werbata map
• A Kadaster measuring point, removed from its original position; no identification A Kadaster measuring point, removed from its original position; no identification
• New sprouts on a candle cactus New sprouts on a candle cactus
• The archaeology sleuths in front of two old houses The archaeology sleuths in front of two old houses
• This one is reasonably intact This one is reasonably intact
• This is how these walls are constructed This is how these walls are constructed
• An old buoy as a water tank An old buoy as a water tank
• The large stone dam leading to the Pos di Pia The large stone dam leading to the Pos di Pia
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• This is where the door was in the sluice This is where the door was in the sluice
• Overflow from the dam into the Pos di Pia Overflow from the dam into the Pos di Pia
• François and Eddy have to stoop deeply to get through the vegetation François and Eddy have to stoop deeply to get through the vegetation
• Hetty is following another path Hetty is following another path
• Through the overflow to the Pos di Pia Through the overflow to the Pos di Pia
• The water place is dry this time of year The water place is dry this time of year
• The wall of the water place was covered with stones (panorama, about 180 degrees) The wall of the water place was covered with stones (panorama, about 180 degrees)
• Lush vegetation around the water place Lush vegetation around the water place
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• The sleuths take a rest The sleuths take a rest
• Dam between the two water places has holes to let the water through Dam between the two water places has holes to let the water through
• Artifacts near the old houses Artifacts near the old houses
• Kitchenware Kitchenware
• The first foundation The first foundation
• Part of a roof tile Part of a roof tile
• Building material Building material
• Kitchenware or pisspot? Kitchenware or pisspot?
• This is a pisspot for sure This is a pisspot for sure
• Kitchenware and the top of a water jar Kitchenware and the top of a water jar
• An old iron An old iron
• Top part of a case bottle Top part of a case bottle
• Another pisspot Another pisspot
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• Washtub Washtub
• Stone for grinding corn Stone for grinding corn
• Another large sea shell Another large sea shell
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• A second foundation with plaster on the outside of the wall A second foundation with plaster on the outside of the wall
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• Bottom of a drugstore Phillips bottle Bottom of a drugstore Phillips bottle
• MacDonals & Muir ltd whisky bottle MacDonals & Muir ltd whisky bottle
• Century plants Century plants
• A third foundation A third foundation
• Bottom of a Petrus Regout & Co cup Bottom of a Petrus Regout & Co cup
• Another stone dam Another stone dam
• Flower of a Prickly pear Flower of a Prickly pear
• Head of an axe Head of an axe
• Old waterbottle Old waterbottle
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