National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999)

Notice No. 1359

18 December 2020

GG 44003

Department of Sports, Arts and Culture

South African Heritage Resources Agency

By virtue of the powers vested in the South African Heritage Resources Agency, in terms of section 27(5) of the National Heritage Resources Act (No. 25 of 1999), SAHRA hereby declares the Sibhudu Cave; located on portion 10 of the Farm Sinembe No 16902-FU, KwaDukuza Municipality, Kwazulu-Natal as a National Heritage Site.

Statement of Significance

“Sibhudu Cave contributes to human evolutionary history through its archaeological evidence of Middle Stone Age occupation which dates to between 100 000 and 38 000 years ago. Archaeological excavations in the shelter have revealed evidence of some of the earliest examples of modern human technology. It is one of only three sites in Africa with evidence of early sea-shell beads older than 70,000 years ago. Sibhudu Cave also has a rare collection of bone tools dating between 77,000 and 62,000 years ago. It has the world’s oldest bone arrowheads that imply that bow and arrow originated in Africa and was in use more than 30,000 years before they were used elsewhere. According to Geoarchaeologists, the Sibhudu Cave sediments are remarkable and amongst the best in the world for identifying behavioural moments in time. Among other finds, Sibhudu Cave has the world’s oldest evidence for bedding made from sedges, grass and leaves. The shelter is currently used for spiritual purposes while the forest around the site is utilized for herbal medicines by the local community. Due to its uniqueness, Sibhudu Cave received international recognition as one of the most important sites of its kind, and has been nominated as a World Heritage site as part of the “Emergence of Modern Humans: The Pleistocene Occupation sites of South Africa” serial nomination.”

Schedule

The demarcation of the site is as follows:

The declared area of portion 10 of the Farm Sinembe no 16902 – FU is bound by coordinates as outlined below;

Co-ordinates