Discovering South Africa’s Rich Rock Art History

Rock art in South Africa is valued for its historical and cultural significance. These windows into the past, dating back thousands of years, offer a unique insight into the lives, beliefs and practices of ancient indigenous peoples, particularly the San.

While some of these rock art sites are open to the public, most require visitors to be accompanied by a certified guide. If you are interested in exploring the history of rock art in South Africa, these regions offer several tours that you can plan for your next trip:

1. Ceder Mountain

Bushmans Kloof, located in the Cederberg Mountains in the Western Cape, is home to more than 130 ancient San rock art sites, some of which are more than 10,000 years old. The reserve, designated a South African National Heritage Site, offers insight into the cultural and spiritual life of the San. Visitors can explore the paintings on guided tours and workshops, including re-creating traditional art techniques. There is also a Heritage Centre on site, which houses San artefacts and historical records.

2. The Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg is home to one of the world’s largest collections of San rock art, with more than 30,000 preserved paintings. These artworks, some dating back 8,000 years or more, often illustrate shamanic trances and connections with ancestral spirits, symbolised by animals such as eland. Publicly accessible sites include Battle Cave, the Main Caves at Giants Castle and the Game Pass Shelter – about an hour’s walk from the Kamberg Rock Art Centre, which also has plenty to see.

3. Rhodes

Rhodes is surrounded by well-preserved San rock art, some of which is open to visitors on private farms. Rhodes village offers access to several well-preserved San rock art sites on nearby private farms, including Martindell, Glass Nevin and Buttermead, each of which requires prior arrangement with the Rhodes Info Centre, reports walkerbout.co.za. Martindell and Glass Nevin may require some climbing and more guiding, while Buttermead is just 3km from town and is easily accessible.

4. Limpopo

Limpopo is home to three distinct rock art traditions: San, Khoekhoe and Northern Sotho. Khoekhoe art is characterised by geometric patterns, while Northern Sotho paintings, applied with white clay and fingers, are distinguished by their simplicity. Key sites include Kaoxa’s Shelter, with over 190 paintings, and the Makgabeng Plateau, which boasts over 890 San and Northern Sotho artworks.

First published on Gataway

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