VOL. 5

GOVERNMENT OF LESOTHO

DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS LOWLANDS WATER SUPPLY LlNUT

METOLONG DAM ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Cultural Heritage (Archaeology) Impact Assessment

February 2008

prepared by Taole Tesele (FM Associates, Lesotho)

as Sub-consultant

For SMEC International Pty Ltd

wvdSMEC H B ~ &kt . =

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

Pub

lic D

iscl

osur

e A

utho

rized

FOREWORD

Heritage within the Southern Phuthiatsana Valley

The Maluti Mountain foothills, such as reflected within the southern Phuthiatsana riiver valley houses some of the finest cultural and natural hentage within the southem African sub-region as demonstrated by previous archaeological work undertaken in the area. An intensive survey of the southem Phuthiatsana, focusing on rock art was undertaken in 1983 under Project ARAL. Systematic documentation and some classification were also completed as part of the survey. This work however was exported out of the country to the Netherlands and is in the custody of the Dutch Government. Mitchell (1994) canied out a stoneage survey and some test excavations within the area of the proposed Metolong Dam.

Cultural and natural heritage includes the rock art such as reflected in the San Rock paintings, artefacts which exhibit the artists' tool kit (Stone and iron age tools) and skeletal remains ranging from early to later forms of human, animal and plant remains, all of which are in various conservation conditions representing the hidden treasure of which just a fraction has been documented to date. The documented features of this treasure include written and oral histories of societies and individuals of outstanding universal values. The heritage also contains the components of living heritage, often referred to as popular or active culture.

Within the Metdong area, the palaeontological heritage component, consisting of fossilised remains of flora and fauna of the Triassic Period, is known to occur within sedimentary rock formations, especially the Elliot Formation. Since no substantial Elliot outcrops are exposed in the vicinity of the Metdong dam site, an intensive survey was considered as unwananted in the present investigation. It was however bom in mind to consider potential sites whenever opportunity arose while undertaking the current survey since engineering excavations during dam construction may extend beyond the Clarens I Elliot transition and into the Elliot bellow.

The task at hand is identification of the hentage aspects that require immediate attention and to suggest or recommend mitigation measures, either thrwgh rescue or otherwise of such aspects for which it may be possible, in order to provide information that would still facilitate study and decision making in the future. In the mist of recommended activities in Conservation efforts facing the heritage in jeopardy, there will also be a need to strengthen the national heritage conservation agency, not only for this Metolong component, but to be able to address the dire need of conservation at the national level.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

The scope of the Archaeological Reconnaissance Survey in this report is limited to the Metolong dam footprint, which is the area bounded by the Dam wall on the downstream side and the tail of the proposed dam reservoir on the upstream side. The rest of the project components such as proposed quarry site, construction site establishment and associated works, access roads, power supply routes and the water reticulation works have not been included as hey were not identified on the ground at the time of the survey. 'The activities undertaken for this study address the t e n s of reierence as indicated in the project inception report as follows:

Task 7: ArchaeologicaVPalaeontological Reconnaissance Surveys.

a) Archaeological Suney: As a chapter of the ESIA, or preferably as a separate report the consultant will be required to conduct an Archaeological Reconnaissance study of the area. The Metolong area is known for its richness of archaeological sites of the Mesolithic period including Bushmen paintings. There will be a need to determine if some of the rock paintings can be relocated or professionally traced for archiving. The various studies that were done under ARAL will need to be consulted to appreciate the situation at hand. Consultations have been made with Professor Peter Mitchell of the University of Oxford, who is an authority on Metolong Archaeology. He demonstrated keen interest to be part of the archaeology program component.

The Consultant will also be expected to establish a protocol for chancefind of archaeological or cultural heritage1 property during construction.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION PROJECT TEAM

This report has been compiled by Taole Tesele appointed to produce the archaeological input for the proposed Dam construction at Metdong in the Southem Phuthiatsana Valley.

This report i s coauthored by 'Mamduoane Seliane, Environmental ((I Archaeological subconsultant I with profciency in paleqenvironmental assessment from h e Karoo. Field assistance was also

provided by Makhale Makoanyane who was originally part of the social enumerator team and thus familiar with the Project site.

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

CMP El A EIS EMP IUCN MU NES ROD

Construction Management Plan Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Impact Study Environmental Management Plan Worid Conservation Union Managemenl Unit National Environment secretariat Record of Decision

DEFINITIONS

Alternative:

Anthropogenic: Audiilng:

Catchment:

Ecosystem:

Ecotourism: Environment:

Environmental impact:

EIA:

Habitat: Hot spot: LIYi--Y--.

A possible course of action, in place of another, that would meet the same purpose and need (of proposal). Altematves can refer to, but are not limited to alternative sites for development, alternative projects for a particular site, alternative site layouts, alternative designs, alternative processes and materials. Man made or man induced A systematic and objective assessment of an organisation's activities and services conducted and documented on a periodic basis. All the land area from mountaintop to seashore which is drained by a single river and its tributaries. A dynamic complex of animal, plant and microorganism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. Natural resourcebased tourism. A place where living, non-living and man-made features interact, and where life and dversity is sustained over time. The degree of change in an environment resulting from the effect of an activity on the environment, whether desirable or undesirable. Impacts may be the drect consequence of a developer's activities or may be indirectly caused by them. A systematic examination of a project or activity conducted to determine whether or not that project or activity may have adverse impact on the environment. A place where a species or ecological community naturally occurs. A place of unusually high diversity of plants, often endemic species. Ll - - - . . - - - A-- : - - -A&- - . . -:A - -A . . - - ------.4.. -A,--.. :---..a-

C'ullu~-;ul HC.TII:~$C . 4 \ ~ ~ 1 ~ 1 l l c n l

Natual vegetation:

Overburden:

Pollution:

Preferred (option):

Red Data Species:

Rehabilitation:

Riparian vegetation:

Runoff:

Subsoil: Significant impact:

Tarn:

Topsoil:

All existing vegetation species, indigenous or otherwise, of trees, shrubs, groundcwer, grasses and all other plants found growing on the site. 'The soil overlying desirable material extracted during borrowing or quarrying. The result the release into air, water or soil from any process or of any substance, which is capable of causing harm to man or other living organisms supported by the environment. The alternative preferred by the client and does not necessarily refer to the recommended alternative discussed in the Scoping Report. Plant and animal species officially listed in the Red Data Lists as being rare, endangered or threatened. Making the land useful again after a disturbance. It involves the recovery of ecosystem functions and processes in a degraded habitat. Rehabilitation does not necessarily re-establikh the pre-disturbance condition, but does involve establishing geological and hydrologically stable landscapes that support the natural ecosystem mosaic. Vegetation occurring on the banks of a river or a stream (i.e. vegetation fringing a water body). The total water yield from a catchment including surface and subsurface flow. The soil horizons between the topsoil horizon and the underlying bed rock. Any impact that, by its magnitude, duration or intensity alters an important aspect of the environment. A small mountain lake o r pod with no permanent outlet, occurring in depressions in cave sandstone within the Afromontane zone. The upper soil profile irrespective of the fertility appearance, structure, agriculture potential, ferhility and composition of the soil, usually containing organic material and which is colwr specific.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

.................................................................................... ......................... FOREWORD .......... i

TERMS OF REFERENCE .......................................................................................................... ii ......................................................... ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION PROJECT TEAM iii

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ................... .. .......................................................... iii

..................................... ......................................... DEFINITIONS ................... .... .... iii

................................................. ..................................................... TABLE OF CONTENTS ... v

LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................ vi

LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................. vi

LIST OF APPENDICES .................................................... ............... ......................................... vi

1 BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................................... 1

........................................................................ 1.1 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS 1

1.2 ORIENTATION .................................................................................................. 1

1.2.1 Location .............................................................................................. 1 1.2.2 Access ................................................................................................ 1

.................................................................................................... 2 STUDY METHODOLOGY 2 ............................................................................... 2.1 PUBLIC PATlClPATlON 2

........................................................... ........... 3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION .. 2

3.1 STONE AGE ................................................................................................... 3

3.2 ROCK ART .................. .. .......... ....... 3

3.3 IRON AGE ........................................................................................................ 3

............................................................................................. 3.4 LIVING HERITAGE 3

........................................................ 3.5 PALAEONTOLOGICAL REMAINS 3

4 IMPACTS ON THE CULTURAL HERITAGE ...................................................................... 3

....................................... ................... 4.1 DAM AND INUNDATION AREA .. 4

........................................................................ 4.1.1 Cultural Heritage Sites 4 . . ............................................................................. 4.1.2 Fosslllsed Heritage 4 ................................................................................... 4.1.3 Impact analysis 5

......................................................................................... 4.2 TRANSMISSION 6

........................ ............................................... 4.3 PUMPING STATIONS ... 7

.............................................................................................. 4.4 INFRSTRUCTURE 7

.................................................................................... 4.5 ESSENTIAL SERVICES 7

5 THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE .................................................................................... 7

................................................................................................... 5.1 PROGRAMME 7

5.2 CONSTRUCTION STAFF ......................................................................... 8

5.3 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................................. 8 - - - - .- - - - -- .- - . . . .... . .... .... ...

<'uliol;ll Hoicayr. Ab\c%. i r~~n~

......................................................................................................... 8 RECOMMENDATIONS 9

9. REFERENCES .......... .................... ............................................................. 10

LlST OF TABLES - -

TABLE I: Sites located within Metolong Dam Footprint

LlST OF FIGURES

Location of heritage sles

LlST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: Costed Action Plan APPENDIX B: Site Reports APPENDIX C: Archaeological findings

Cover Photo: Example of rock an on the walls of the rock shelter below Ha Monamoleli.

1 BACKGROUND

The Metolong Dam Project is intended to alleviate water supply shortage in the Maseru U b n and pen-urban areas as well as towns peripheral to Maseru to the radius of+ 45 km. The environment of this project is the lowlands, whose geology is dominated by the Clarens sandstone that has formed numerous caves and overhangs that have been occupied by the stone-age hunter-gatherers who have left a legacy of footprints in the form of material and pictorial remains, some of which are in excess of hundred thousand years old. Some of these places were later occupied by farming communities, who are ancestors of the present Basotho people.

The greater southem Phuthiatsana valley has been surveyed for rock art remains, some of which have been systematically recorded, although the record has since been removed from Lesotho to the Netherlands (Smith, 1983). A few stone-age sites have also been identified, some of which have also been test-excavated for archaeological provenance (Mitchell, 1989).

The Metdong Dam Project, identified as a high priority requirement in the improvement of livelihoods in the lowlands of Maseru and periphery, has a high potential for deleterious impacts on the cultural heritage of the area and in line with the Kingdom of Lesotho's National Legislafon, needs to comply with the Environment Act of 2001.

1.1 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

The applicant, in this m e , Lowlands Water Supply Unit (LWSU), is required to comply with the Kingdom of Lesotho's National Legislation, the Environment Act of 2001, which regulates the EIA process. The Dam Development is a listed activity in terms of Section 27 of the sald Act.

The requirement includes the compilation of the cultural heritage information (including social - pre histotic or archaeological remains and natural - fossilised or palaeontological remalns) that may be negatively impacted by the dam developments, especially inundation, as a technical report in the overall developments of the EIA process.

19 ORIENTATION

1 2 1 Location

Metolong Dam site is on the South Phuthiatsana River (the Little Caledon River) which flows through the lowlands of central western Lesotho. The proposed reservoir area spans the Districts of Maseru and Berea. The Project area itself is much larger, since it will supply water to the capital city of Maseru and its pen-urban areas, the towns of Teyateyaneng, Roma and Modja. In addition the indirect effeds from water abstraction from the South Phuthiatsana River may affect downstream water users as far as the confluence with the Mohokare (Caledon) River. The area is situated between 270E and 2BOE longitude and 290N and 300N latitude.

1.2.2 Access

Metolong Dam site is about 45 km from Maseru, the capital of Lesotho. It is accessed through a gravel track ofl the main road from Thaba-Bosiu to Sefikeng, which runs parallel and to the west of the southern Phuthiatsana valley.

Cul~ur;nl Hcnl;bgc 4*\v.\nun1

2 STUDY METHODOLOGY

The focus for heritage impact assessment was the main dam footprint, which consists of the proposed dam wall area and the area to be inundated. The remaining infrastructure of pipelines, pumping stations, quarries, access roads site establishment and treatment works will follow as engineering survey information is made available. Few studies have been undertaken within the southern Phuthiatsana valley within the area proposed from the Metolong dam and beyond. A literature review has therefore been undertaken as the first step to determine the nature of the cultural heritage data and likely impacts from dam infrastructure developments.

The next step was to undertake ground investigations to delermine sites that still exist from the historical surveys and records. It is a foregone conclusion that natural factors working away continuously every year will erase some of the sites permanently from the Metolong valley within the next century. The ground survey in the current investigation was therefore used to verify heritage data quality and to some extend quantities, against recorded information.

Field survey work was supplemented by interviewing local residents to get their appreciation of the cultural heritage value and likely impacts from proposed dam developments.

An analysis was then made to determine the likely impacts on the tengible and intangible cultural assets of the Metolong Dam site.

2.1 PUBLIC PATlClPATlON

A process of public consultation has been conducted separately by SMEC International as part of the ESIA investigations. This included the following:

lnforming communities residing in villages around the proposed Metolong development area of the investigations being undertaken as part of the ESIA. lnforming communities of potential Project impacts they may face. Identifying opportunities that the communities may derive by being involved and taking part in the development activities. Asking communities what concerns and issues they had with respect to the Project.

The Inception Report prepared for the ESIA consultancy provides a record of the community response and aspirations regarding their involvement in the infrastructure developments proposed therein. The main outcome of this public consultation indicated a support for improved quality of livelihoods related to infrastructure associated with the project.

In addition to the public consultation outlined above, communities and individuals were also consulted during the archaeological survey to gain more specl i information on particular sites with respect to their importance and use by local people.

3 ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION

The cultural heritage of Metolong, of which the archaedogical study is only a fraction has been looked at in terms of the following:

For all of these categories, the major impact was total destruction in terms of inundation by development of a dam in the region.

3.1 STONE AGE

This category denotes remnants of artefacts from the early hunter gatherers, whose technology of tod manufacture centred around stone, either shaped as hand tools or prepared for hamess to wooden and other forms of handles. Such remains have subsequently been laid down as deposits in shelters, in sequences that reflect the times of the users as well as function and style.

3.2 ROCK ART

Rock art consists of motifs painted on to the stone walls in many of the shelters occupied by stone- age man. They also reflect a very high and rare skill, of reproducing pictorial representations d early live forms. Rock art also provides indirect indications of fauna and sometimes flora of the ancient environments. It is very often found in association with stone tools, though there are situations where it occurs on its own.

3.3 IRON AGE

Iron age implies the period when humans had gained substantial experience and expertise in tool making, this time extracting iron by smelting from rock (iron ore). At this time humans were not only dependent on the natural resources, but had also developed techniques for modifying their environment through tilling the land to produce crops and keeping livestock for meat and other commodities or by-products. Humans were then settled and built homes instead of depending on available natural habitat of rock shelters.

3.4 LIVING HERITAGE

This is the active part of cultural heritage where people's religious beliefs associate certain features or sites with ancestral connection. Such sites or features are then occasionally visited for religious purposes by various communities or religious sects to perform rituals. They may even be sites of initiation rituals where regularly, youths of certain age are taken through some rite o f passage in gender groups and very rarely as individuals, such as for healing purposes.

3.5 PALAEONTOLOGICAL REMAINS

This is the natural side of the heritage consisting of fauna and flora of the Triassic Period, largely included within the mudstone matrix of the Elliot Geological formation. The remains are often exposed as the rock is weathered under various agents.

4 IMPACTS ON THE CULTURAL HERITAGE

The national commitment on environmental conservation is sited in the National Constitution (Clause 36) which states as follows: 'Lesotho shall adopt policies designed to protect and enhance the natural and cutfural environment of Lesotho for the benefit of both present and future generations and shall endeavour to assure to all cilzens a sound and safe environment adequate for their health and well-being." It is through this slatement that the Department of Environment and Culture as mlinr hnldor and n l h ~ r dmartmonts ac imnlom~ntinn anonn'w nll~c varirv le d i r ios ard nthor

Under the Department of Environment, the 'Environment Act 2001 (as amended)' requires that all developmental projects should undertake Environmental Impact Assessment - EIA, d which Cultural Heritage forms a component, as part of their brief. This heritage is protected in terms of the 'Historical Monuments, relics, Fauna Flora Act of 1967 (as amended) and to maintain a record or national research profile and database, it is a requirement under this law to obtain specific research permits to record and I or collect protected heritage. The Metdong project logether with its ancillary activities has potentially considerable impacts on the cultural heriiage of the southern Phulhiatsana catchment within the proposed dam footprint that is being considered in this report.

4.1 DAM AND INUNDATION AREA

Options for dam development include a Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) some 68 m high with a crest length greater than 210 m and an estimated reach of 18 km inundating an area d 260 ha (Option 2), and alternatively a similar type crest at the lower altitude of 60 m and a smaller footprint of 14 km covering an area of 210 ha (Option 1). Their respective Top Water Levels (MIL) including flood surcharge are 1673 and 1665 rnasl respectively, which are the critical points of impact on the heritage sites.

4.1.1 Cultural Heritage Sites There are no known sites around the foundation area of the proposed dam wall, however 13 sites have been identified as being directly affected by the larger storage option (Option 2) with another site recorded neatby but not directly affected. Ten sites would be directty affected by Option 1 involving a smaller storage. Detailed information regarding sites is shown in table 1.

4.1.2 Fossilised Heritage

In terms of the Geological sequence, the rock formation in which fossils can be expected as it weathers is the Elliot formation, lying below the Clarens, which is the main rock formation in which the proposed Metolong dam is situated. The field survey work undertaken in the current investigation included an assessment for signs of dther plant or animal fossils. No sites were identified in this category. It should however be noted that major excavations that penetrate the Clarens/Elliot transition, could potentially affect such fossil heritage.

Table 1: Sites located within the Metolong Dam footprint. Site reports filed and digital photos taken. Site Name Accession ' Altitude Map Six digit Site type 1 Institute I M a s I I S M I Icmrdinates I

shaha la ..ihbla

Consewation status

Ha Repulane

.la Lalri (I)

SMEC

I

SMEC

SMEC

bintings becommended)

Ha Latsi (11)

10m 1659

ravesite PMEC 11630 p9278 p94454 pmve Fhreatened by inundation

Ha Makdoko

1621

SMEC

29278 3

SMEC

29278 3

1,

1643

a

756460

1650 99278 3

1617

756460

ate stone age phelter with late

ate stone age sheker with late

769458

:grave of river drowned man 'rom ha Ramatlama - 1956). Relocation recommended. Threatened by inundali. 3igital recordinp and surface

29278

Threatened by inundation lhat warrants salvage

run age ate irun age shelter

Threatened by inundation

ate stone age shelter with 'add rock

768462

Threatened by inundation. 3gital recording 8 stone-age ~urface collection

ron age -ate slone age

cdlection rew6mended 'Threatened by inundation.

Iron age. bollection recommended. a Likhorno BMEC h619 k927B b2459 Late stone aae hhreatened bv inundation.

Site Name

1 . The map sheets refer to topographical maps at 1 :50 000 scale, sheet number 2927, 1979 obtained from the Department of Lands, Surveys and Physical Planning (LSPP), Maseru, Lesotho.

2 . Y (3 digit) and X (3 digit) grid reference coordinates from corresponding topographical map sheet.

Impact on the heritage sites is two fold, the natural deterioration of the sites is something that is continuous and for which most of the rock ad will vanish within the next hundred years or so, even under strict observation. The anthropomoqhc impact, resulting from continuous occupation of the sites for any reason, including deliberate defacing of the art and use of rock overhangs as shelter, whether knowingly or otherwise, has accelerated deterioration to the extent that pajntings recorded within the gorge in the early 1980s have literally disappeared from existence. Inundation by a dam will permanently destroy most of these siles.

Accession Institute

In Table 1 above, all sites above the Mue line are directly threatened by inundation under Option 1 (smaller dam). Of the remaining sites under the Mue line, Qebelechane and Thapelong will be indireclly affected due to their prewious location on the edge of a gorge nexl to a deep body of water making access very dangerous. They will not be accessible to the community for the cultural value associated at the moment. This especially relates to Thapelong, which is visited as a sacred -;bn b r rmnrd ...i#h m n n n b r r . T h n n r l r r r i r b h r n l r r r 6-r n n . . n - hmr) n . r u i r . : h . b r 4-nn h-A. -4

Altitude M a s I+

lorn

Map Sheet1

Six digit coordinates

2

Site type Conservation status

Lithakong ha Takalatsa, the late imn age open site, is not affected directly by either option, but it is available for documentation as it is close to the gorge and will receive attention as one of the precursors of development in the iron age closest to the dam. This is probably one of the sites preceding development of the current village of Ha Seeiso. Its historical significance is similar to that of Ntloana-Tsma, which is said to have been named after its occupation by the early amvals of the Basotho in this area, prior to their development of the current villages. Proper documentation of the historical perspective still has to be undertaken when mitigation activities are engaged for rescue works.

Qebelechane and Monamdeli will be affected under Option 2, especially Monamdeli. Qebelechane will also not be available in any case even under Option 1. Naturally the Southen Phuthiatsana section of Metolong forms a precipitous gorge. Filling this gorge with water will create a buffer zone, which will be a danger for local people and their livestock. The site is therefore considered inaccessible for safety reasons if the Project proceeds. 'The width of such a danger zone widens with its angle of steepness, being widest where cliffs are still visible. Sites such as Qebelechane and Monamoleli will therefore be dangemusly close to a deep water body and hence be rendered inaccessible.

Significance of the rock art sites is not immediately open to evaluation as the rock art discourse is still debating signifcance of the art in terms of cultural and religious connotations, especially as the San, who created them, have long vanished from the region. Those descendants, who may still be alive, will not reveal themselves for fear of marginalisation. Every painting is therefore significant in as far as its conservation status, as its true meaning is still hidden in the pages of text yet to be produced by research.

There are few s i g i f i i t stone-age sites which warrant full excavation because they have already been exposed to the international sphere through research, which has recommended further work in order to deepen understanding of behavioural patterns of the middle to late s t m a g e wittin the greater Caledon valley or catchment. NtlomTsoana Is linked to the Rose Cottage in the eastem Freestate, near Ladybrand and should therefore not be erased from existence without fuller information extracted.

The m k shelters within which either stoneage or rock art are located, serve currently as refuge sites for herders throughout the year either for winters or during heavy rains. Some of them serve cultural initiation activities interchangeably. Elimination of such assets will deprive the locals of protection during inclement weather and for parlicular rituals. WHle these may be replicated elsewhere, the opportunity to house the earlier heritage will be lost permanently.

Community member interviews

A few old people have been identified for inte~ews. It is envisaged that sites such as NUma Ts'oana and Thapelong have some significance that need to be documented beyond digital images and or excavafons. These types of values contribute to better understd~ng of pilgrimage and migration of groups of people from one place to another over great distances.

4.2 TRANSMISSION

There are up to 11 2.6 km of Transmission Mains (i waler supply to Morija is included in the Project) ranging in size from 250mm ND to 700 mm ND. These are designated as Transmission Lines 1 to 8 with a short 700 mm ND pumping main from the Dam to the Treatment Works.

Whara nnsaihla thma nindinaz will Iw laid in a~istinn rnarl racafves Annrvimatdv 15 krn will hava

archaeological survey. It is recommended therefore that the routes be surveyed for any archaeological remains, especially open sites where the routes will be laid across country.

4.3 PUMPING STATIONS

There are four pumping stations proposed for the system: 1. Station one is at the Dam Site 2. Treatment Plant (pumping to Ha Nchela) 3. Treatment Plant pumping to Sefikeng and 4. Near Roma on the Mazenod to Roma Road

The places where the pumping statlons are proposed have not been surveyed for archaeological presence. It is recommended that these be surveyed as soon as the exact routes have been determined.

4.4 INFRSTRUCTURE

The infrastructure required to implement the Project and then to facilitate the operation and maintenance of the facilities will include plant and ancillary works (construction of living quarters, storage and the like), access roads, electricity supply, telecommunications, health and education facilities, workshops and storage areas, sand and aggregate sources. The area required for the Treatment Plant (TP) is four hectares while the proposed area for the sludge drying beds is 1 1 ha.

The area required for the infrastructure is essentially within highly disturbed areas of village and crop land. It is therefore recommended that these areas be monitored during construction activities to salvage any materials that may be identified.

4.5 ESSENTIAL SERVICES

The necessary support such as water requirements, power requirements, solid waste disposal, liquid waste disposal and hazardous waste disposal may require additional space of which some may be located oifsite. It is also recommended that these areas be monitored during construction activities t o salvage any archaeological materials that may be identified.

5 THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE

5.1 PROGRAMME

The preconstruction, construction and operational phases of the project are dependant on the timing of the Record of Decision (ROD) issued by the National Environment Secretariat (NES) of the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture and the financial feasibility.

Assuming that the construction goes ahead, and considering the limiied human, financial and other resowces within the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture regarding archaeological expectise, the quality and quantities of archaeological artefacts produced from the Metolong area will requim a full time archaeological team to cover preconstruction and construction periods. The option of rescue work undertaken directly by the Department of Culture within MTEC requires capacity building within this Department. Outsourcing the services under the department might be a more feasible option, although supervision skills will also need to be outsourced, considering the time frame of the Project.

5.2 CONSTRUCTION STAFF

Local contractors will be appointed to undertake the construction of the various facilities. These will in turn employ local craftsmen and labourers. It can be expected that at any given time numerous people will be engaged during the various construction phases. Many of the people who will come from far places as job seekers (camp followers) may find housing by squatting in the caves and shelters within the valley, to be close to jobs. This will increase impacts within the shelters by fires, which will further damage rock art which has largely faded naturally anyway. To address this eventuality, the archaeology rescue team needs to be engaged early on, to clear most of the rock art and associated archaeological aspects out of the way.

Avoidance strategies such as employment of locals for unskilled labour and offsite hiring need to be considered. As a general rule staff will not be housed on site, but rather bussed in on a daily basis. Should the need arise for certain staff (such as security and planning team) to reside on site, provision will be made at the main construction camp or at the existing facilities.

5.3 CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT PLAN

Distutmce will be limited to the footprint of the development area. The layout of the construction site will be done according to a Construction Management Plan (CMP) which will f m part of the EMP. This will define the extent of the 'working footprint' as well as indicate the construction camp, the site office, material storage sites, the lay down areas, the working area, the stockpile sites and the waste storage areas. All construction related infrastructure will be removed and the site fully rehabilitated after completion of the project, except for the operational infrastructure such as engineering and tourism and recreational facilities, which will be a permanent feature. For management purposes, it is recommended to survey all grounds earmarked for these developments prior to construction.

6 OPPORTUNrrlES AND CONSTRAINTS

Archaeological and palaeontological sites are essentially tourist attractions and major draw cards. They need to be maintained within speafied carrying capacities to slow down deterioration. Many of the sites located within the proposed Metolong dam footprint, will be available as data for research and to some extent, tourism. I t has however been sadly noted that many of these sites undergo natural deterioration at the rate at which substantial sites e.g. rock art will have vanished within the coming century. The building of a dam, which requires revealing of the data, comes as an opportunity for our society to know what is contained in this valley. The constraint however comes with organisation of such data for presentation. Cunenly Lesotho has not yet developed sound infrastructure for handling such data. It would be advantageous to fully salvage the data early on. It would be a constraint to identify such data during construction.

7 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES

Development by its very nature is disruptive, especially during construction, but also during the operational phase. As such, the avoidance of all development, as an alternative, would negate any disturbance, both on an ecological and on a socieeconomic level.

The no-go development option therefore implies that the existing archaeological sites remain as they are at present and that the site will be used without implementing any of the proposed irnnmum~ntc Irnnacts ralatinn t n thp nlanninn m n t n ~ t i n n a d nmratinn nf tha nrnnnnnrl facilitie~

Information regarding archaeological and related remains would remain enclosed within this valley. A public environment which is in the process of decline will rapidly become subject to further degeneration and vandalism. Loss of opportunity to potential employees, the region and lo the conservation authorities; Loss of opportunity to generate revenue; Loss of opportunity in t e r n of conservation potential, especially from awareness point of view.

On the other hand, the development option as proposed, implies that most of the valley will go underwater, which means that the cultural heritage information will not only deteriorate, but wlll vanish altogether. Either way, the heritage data will still deteriorate. The only difference is the rate and opportunity for salvage. In the no development option the salvage requirement is very low, only prompted by individual research interests, which come very sporadically. In the development scenario, the salvage becomes a component of development and ensures availability of information in the shortest possible time.

8 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The archaeology reconnaissance has been undertaken to determine the extent to which the proposed dam development will impact on the rock art, the stone-age, historical and living heritage sites. It is recommended that detailed documentation be undertaken, to ensure that a proper database is established, which will record both rock art and stone-age sites using the state of the art technology.

2. Since Ihe location of the quarry sites, construction establishment sites, pipelines and proposed transmission lines were not known at the time of the present survey work, the locations will need to be surveyed once identified during final design.

3. Although no palaeontological sites were identified In the present investigalion, (lhey were highly unlikely in the Clarens geological formation), it is recommended that further site inspections be undertaken where dam excavation works penetrate below the Clarens and into the Elliol Formation.

4. It is recommended that for those sites with still good rock art imagery worth salvage, that a rescue operation be mounted, which will fully excavate the deep deposits of the two sites already piloted by Professor Mitchell.

5. That a review of the archaeology capability of the Department of Culture, under the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture be undertaken and measures be done to ensure sufficient rsources, human and otherwise, are engaged not only for the immediate dam development period, but to be identified as improvements to the capacity of the Department of Culture, which is the key stakeholder and implementing agent from government.

6. An option in strengthening of the Department of Culture is one of outsourcing supervision and actual rescue team under the Department and attach counterparts for understudy.

7. That the appended costed plan, be considered for financing early on, to provide sufficient lead time to undertake archaeological rescue prior to engineering activities.

9. REFERENCES

Ambrose D., 2005. Lesotho Annotated Bibliography, Palaeontology, Mamhlongo Productions (Printer) Roma, Lesotho.

Ambrose D., 2002. Lesotho Annotated Bibliography, Archaeology. Institute of Education, NUL Roma, Lesotho.

Kaplan, 1995. Baseline Archaeological Survey: Study prepared for the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority.

Mitchell P. et al., 1990. The Archaeology of the Hololo Crossing Rock-Shelter: Report prepared for the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority.

Mitchell P. 1996. The archaeology of the Phuthiatsana Basin: excavated sites and rock art. In: J.S. Brink, J. Dreyer, Z. Henderson & S. Ouzman (eds) Guide to Archaeological Sites in the Free State and Lesotho, pp. 47-57 Bloemfontein: Southern African Association of Archaeologists.

Mitchell P. 1994. The archaeology of the Phuthiatsanaea-Thaba Bosiu Basin, Lesotho, southern Africa: changes in Later Stone Age regional demography. Antiquity 68: 83-96.

Mitchell P. 1993. Archaeological investigations at two Lesotho rock-shelters: the terminal Pleistocenelearly Holocene assemblages from Ha Makotoko and Ntloana Tsoana. Proceedings of the Prehistoric Society 59: 39-60.

Mitchell P. 1992. Ntloana Tsoana: a Middle Stone Age sequence from western Lesotho. South African Archaeological Bulletin 47: 26-33 (P.J. Mitchell & J.M. Steinberg).

Mitchell P. 1992. Implications of recent radiocarbon dates from western Lesotho. South African Journal of Science 88: 175- 176 (P.J. Mitchell & J.C. Vogel).

Mitchell P. et al., 1988. Sehonghong. BAR International Series 406.

SMEC May 2006. Metolong ESIA Final Inception Report.

South African Rock Art Digital Archive 2006.

APPENDIX A Costed Action Plan Lesotho Maloti, 2006)

Phuthiisana catchment Mihinthe Metolong sub-region. . Cultural and Natural Helitage Includes remains of early forms of h u m , animal and plml L in the following

categories: 1) Bushan PaMings (San Rock M) 2) Remahs of thelr 7001 KK (Stoneage Archaeology) 3) Remains of lmn age 7001 Kit'

4) Hiorlcal Features 5j ~emains of arimal and plant fossi~s 61 Recardable aPpecls of living heritage

I I Smibnt culural and Mtural h e w e exists within the country and across I s political boundaries into South Afrlca. Verv

I ti& of the herilage has been systemhxilly documenled. Out of these few sit&, less than a handful have been devebped to mcgnlred levels of protedion, preservation and tourkn atlradii. Natural deterbration and human

I adivltk mrdhueio pose Uueal and to even delele sc8m of the siles ord of exklence, lnrnediate hterventlon that wlli I raife awareness and promote pmtedlve andpreservation measures ls required.

ObJectives 1 Overall I To mitlgate the negative impads and promote pmleclim and pmrvatbn of the southem Phuthiatsana sub- regbn of Metobng, as a contribution to the n a t i i target of cultural heritege conservation and to undertake appropriate devekpnents that will ensure consenration and slstainable utiilzation of these resourn.

To undertake rescue works wilhln the proposed Metdong dam basln and the periphery of the southem Phuthiatsana, To preserve heriiage materials that wll be sefiously impaded by devebpment of Metolong dam. To rake awareness by providii incrementel Rnanchg to develop teaching materials and displays. To undertake surveys within selecled pi# areas where cultural herilage sites will be ident l i i and documenled to contrWe to the n a t i i database. To undertake specilic site plans that will facilltale proledion and preservation of siles. To tndertake seledlve development to promote some of the sites to tourist altractlon level. To enhance local expertise by provisbn of trainlng to faclliate appreciation and documentation skllls. To &lop strategies that will Involve the local communtly in order to trlgger Interest and education M e d to cultural herilage.

I I Inpub, and assocbted I Persanel and I Staff involvement 1 Cultural heritage spedalist.

ComnunHy Fadlialors. k i d Technk'i. MTEC exlenslon persomel MoLG exlersion persanel Commlmtly Slructures Private sector

Field ~ssl iants and materhls 150,000 Labour (skilled, semi-skiled and unskilled)

180,000

( IWereSted h d ~ d ~ a l s

There is a serious requirement of houshg of the materials rescued + materials to be repatriated from international slofage and dspkys. There will therefore be a hancial need fw proper bainhg, handlng, displays and management

Cultural Resources Management specialist Arhneologid 8 Palaeontological field technicians

0.24 p years 3,780 p days 0.12 p y e m

1,260,OOO

1.7 p years required for phmhg a develqmnt of dlsplay

('ul~ul-al Hcrtl;~$~' Aw.'i.*rmcnl

Capital Costs

Implementation 7'- I

Data and Ikrformation Input s o w

Data storyle a d

Expected resub

Community lnvolvemenl r

Pa~ticlpaUon

Indicators for overall objective

GoL hvolvenrent

645,000 1,625,250 1,881,OW 2,944,500 2,052,750 a. Uerature review b. Tralninp of field workers

Vehicles, replacement and maintenance Oflices and Housing

c. r e - ~ c e ffeld suweys and inventoty of addbnal cultural heritage sites d. Seleclbn of representative shes for devebpment of managernerd plans (SDMPs) I

2,025,000 1,200,MM

. .

e, detailed plannh f. Extension campaigns in local cetchments (Community Represenlalive F o m

establlshmerds) g. Conrtructbn of devebpment struclures h. Proper documentation and hventoty

' I

9,148,500 (Malotl) Year 1 Year2 Year3 Year4 Year5

b. Unlversiiy of the ~ldwatersrand (Drakensberg Archaeological research excursbns).

c. Reporls on studies h archaeological wnservatan in the LHWP d. Hlstotical records of Lesotho. e. Analysis of Rodc Arl Lesotho (ARAL) on the internet f. Repats by Independent researchers. 1 DiPnal end hard moles of: " - topograph~cal'map and odhophotos of the pHot area. a. Wlis for identlfiibn and docurnentadkn of cultural resources (data collection). b. Databsfe (digital and hard f m t s ) of cuilural heritage sites for contribution lo the

database ads&-regional plans. '

c. Slrategies for managanent of U m t s and Impxk on cultural resources. d. Specific Site Development and Management plans. e. Development of some of t h e cultural aspeds hto tourlst rdtrection items. f. Revlew the capadty and capability of the agency (Depatlment of Cunure) that will

imprnmt. fi.~rtefads and other materials rescued from the dam site. a. H e m resources canservatkn cornplementlng achievement of national

conseiation goals. b. Increased acoessiblllly and sustainable utillzatlon of cultural resources with I

benefib to the bcal mmunlties. c. Enhanced awareness and consemtan of cultural heritage on a national basls. d. Implementation and achievement on international m n v e t i i s and pmtocol

agreements for cullural hertlage oonservatbn strategies. e. Enhanced capacity on cultural resources management. a. Field based GoL mh'istries requested to padkipate h the CRM actlvilies. b. MOU's between stakeholder ministries and amcemed Local communitv Fonms 1

signed to fadlute long-term management and guidance. All NGOs h the area to be infonned and invled to partidpate In the technical advisory workhg groups. l a. Ccunmunltii m o b W into r e s m user groups h representative forums for

manegemefd and partIc$ation. b. Communlly Forums to be empowered and established as a recqised Ladies and

custodian of SDMPs. a. Appdntmeni of the Cullural Resources Management Consultant. b. EstaMishnenl of the Cultural Resources Management Wwkirg Gmtq c. Establbhnl of the natlonal heritage database d. Engagement of personnel and placemenl in trelnhg institullons.

Pedormance Indiceton for specnlc objectives

a. Produdion of awareness mateciak. b. ldentflczdlon of medium term pbn and budget for CRM hcorporatlng irnplemenrng

agencies inpul. c. Revsi i and Imphenlalbn of the strudure of cultural resources management

site and monunenls Unit wWn the Department af Culture. d. 6 people skilled to undertake reconkissance surwys of culural heritage sites and

develop docurnenlalion syslem. e. Submission of recomaissance survey data h soft and hard wples from the pilot

areas (resource inventory repolts). f. Plbt areas estabr-d. g. Al l e d 3 Specific S#e Development and Mana~ement Pbns submitted. h. At least 3 Communitv Consemlion Forums established.

1 i. Task r e p a on implementsdion plan submined. Cautions I Constrslnts I a. Tlme allocated to the projed will depend on major engineering acliiles and will

ihhrenlly be blased lo achlevernenl of engineering adhritles of cultural heriiage. b. llwa will b e an i n i l i bcdtlenedc in storage of rescued artefacts plior to

development of dkplay facility. 1

RIS~S

c Upfront handel requirement may meet resistance and delay achievement. 8: he national stakeholder body (seering mmittee or w o r w group) is nd j ~ a m m : rwm and Nurnberlng ] sustahble unless finandal reguiremenls are recognized and addressed ahead of (

Cullur.11 Hcrllagu %h\crr!ilcn~

APPENDIX B

Identified Site Reports

- - . ? j. .i - ;,. --e

!-m -' 1> ( ' 5 ,- ,a ,<., - - - F - - + 5 , .- , - 'it- -= ?$ ! 7 ' i ( j % " f -

++ g ii 1 rz 3 . -; g 3 .= =

1 -. - -- 'X a

= $j @ > ? p. -2 -, ,-A. & 3 -

z a - g"r 5.

E - - 8 +rr. - - ? ltj s 1 i g l r r

APPENDIX C Selection of digital images from Metolong

Engravings at the Thapelong site. Since this is exposed. Lichen is affecting the engraving.

Thapelong, the sacred site feature (geologic feature).

Part of the grinding stone (upper) and some late stone age artefacts from the rock shelter.

Remnants of clay pots from the late iron age occupation of the rock shelters.

- - - . activity - an actor (man) with a traditional harp.

hills.

Below Ha Monamoleli

This site is suitable for development for management as a tourist attraction, both to demonstrate commitment to cultural conservation and as a local awareness, education, empowerment and development effort. It is not threatened by option 1, except as a demo for cultural heritage conservation. It is however affected by option 2.

of trans performance. Elongation is very clear here. The s ite is suffering serious damage from local visits (probably school kid andlor herders).

through exfoliation has advanced greately.

require full technical documentation.

Deterioration of sandstone is clearly seen as the significant threat here. This painting has significance as a therianthrope or human with animal feature, which is an interpretation of trans experience in bushman beliefs.

- -- The paintings are very marginal in t e h s of natural existence. Good conservation recommended here is actual detailed photography and tracing.

This heavy super positioning is getting out of interpretation as many colours have lost details of painted motifs.

There is now change of context. These set of paintings are rough, implying pressure on the artist, which loses required details. This implies some social transformation.

This was once a fine painting, still with the set of arrows in the quiver still visible.

triggered.

The site photograph shows the front elevation with painted wall in the background. people provide scale perspective. The site is at river level.

This is one of the finds of the late stoneage.

Potsheds indicative of late ironage occupation. The pencil offers the scale perspective.

Lithakong Takalaha Site

These &e remnants stone walls of the iron age settlement.

Some stone would have been removed here for construction of the modem ha Seeiso village.

The late Iron age site overgrown by bushes.

the edge of the valley to provide overlook, but the large stone walling-indicates the village total enclosure in some fortress of sorts.

of tourist route in the long term operation of the dam.