Charge:     Costs differ depending on the type of accommodation. There are three choices of accommodation with the option of an extra night stay on Friday (see below)
Bring:        Closed shoes, protective clothing, water, sunhat, picnic lunch, water/drinks
Note:         Cell phone reception is very patchy so you will not be able to contact us if you are late. Roads are not great and include a 20km section on a well graded dirt road. This outing involves moderate walking and a steep descent into the shelter. Allow for a travelling time of 2 to 3 hours to Telperion House.   

Booking is essential:  Contact Anne Raeburn from 1 May only (Anne will be away before that).
Email anner@mweb.co.za tel. 083 455-4151 with the driver’s name, vehicle registration and your telephone number.

Telperion and Ezemvelo nature reserves boast a number of archaeological features including stone walling, an old furnace and slag, Anglo-Boer War graves and rock art. A highlight of this weekend will be Telperion Shelter. This shelter is the most significant environmental and historical feature in the region. It had been used over millennia, from the time of the Middle Stone Age hunter-gatherer (forager) people who lived here tens of thousands of years before the San (Bushmen). There are signs of Late Stone Age people, including the San, whose fine grained micro-lithic tools, and remnants of their paintings are also found in the shelter. What further surprises researchers are the handprints and geometric designs associated with Khoekhoe pastoralists who either lived here or moved through the area. A theme for further research and pondering is provided by the graffiti superimposed upon these early signs. The oldest stone tools discovered on the Telperion reserve date from the Middle Stone Age (roughly from the period between 250 000 to 70 000 years ago). Early Stone Age people had, however, also lived in this valley and hand axes have been discovered some kilometres west of the site. The secluded valleys along the Saalboomspruit and the shelter on Telperion also served as a refuge and relative safe haven during times of turmoil, as well as during the second Anglo Boer War of 1899-1902.

Anna Batchelor-Steyn obtained two Honours degrees at the University of Pretoria. She lectured in the University of South Africa’s department of Art History before completing her Masters degree in 1990 in Rock Art from the University of South Africa. The same year, she joined the National Cultural History museum and worked as an archaeologist and educator until 2007. She is currently completing an MSc degree in Environmental Management from Northwest University and is an independent Cultural and Urban Heritage Consultant for SCAN, the Socio-Cultural Assessment Network. The SCAN projects she is involved in include Ezemvelo Nature Reserve for E. Oppenheimer & Sons and urban landscape development in Pretoria Old East area.

Directions:
Detailed directions will be provided to participants.

Accommodation:

Telperion House and rondawel:
The house sleeps 8 (1 x double, 3 x twin), linen and towels supplied. Two bathrooms with bath and shower in bath. Kitchen (no microwave).
The rondawel sleeps 6 (1 x double, 2 x twin), linen and towels supplied. One bathroom with bath. Shower outside. Kitchen (no microwave).
Members: R380.00 Non-members: R450.00
 
Research House:
Sleeps 6 in single beds, in 3 rooms. Two toilets, 1 bath, 1 shower.
Bed linen supplied but NOT blankets or towels.
Kitchen fully equipped.
Members: R230.00 Non-Members: R270.00