Gerrit Dusseldorp and a team from the Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University in the Netherlands are continuing their excavation of Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter, which is just off the N3 near Marianhill Toll Plaza. The team is investigating the Middle to Later Stone Age transition which occurred between ~40,000 and 20,000 years ago.
 
During the visit Gerrit will highlight the importance of Umhlatuzana and talk about the excavation techniques and post-excavation analyses the team employs. Some interesting finds will be showcased as well as results from last year’s excavation discussed. 
 
We will meet at 10:00 at the Tongaat-Hulett Estate.
 
If you are coming from Durban: Take exit 32 off the N3, signposted Hillcrest, Assagay, Shongweni. Turn right towards Assagay and cross over the highway. Take the first right turn after the highway into the Tongaat-Hulett Estate and park behind the security booms.
 
If you are coming from Pietermaritzburg: Take exit 32 towards Shongweni, Assagay. Turn Left towards Assagay and then immediately right into Tongaat-Hulett Estate and park behind the security booms.
 
Accessing the site is not easy – you do so at own risk. 
 
After parking we will then walk along the highway behind the highway barrier. Although we will be behind the barrier, we will still be close to the N3 and high visibility vests are recommended if you have them. This will be followed by a short steep slope (last year a rope was available for support) before a walk along the cliff face to the site. 
 
Please contact Ghilraen Laue (glaue@nmsa.org.za ) by the 25th July if you are interested in joining us on the site visit