The archaeological sites at Mossel Bay’s Pinnacle Point have been declared Provincial Heritage Sites.
The sites have revealed some of the earliest evidence for modern human behaviour.
“Pinnacle Point is significant because it’s a uniquely dense concentration of well-preserved archaeological sites that contain a record of human occupation over a period of about 170,000 years - from the time when modern human behaviour first emerged to the pre-colonial period,” said Professor Curtis Marean, who heads the SACP4 Project, which is studying the finds from Pinnacle Point.
Prof. Marean said Pinnacle Point would now be put forward for National Heritage Site status before application could be made to have it declared a World Heritage Site.
Mossel Bay’s Executive Mayor, Marie Ferreira, said the proclamation was expected to have a growing impact on the local economy.“It’s already drawing visits from quite large numbers of scientists, students and volunteers,” she said.
She said plans were also in place for a museum that would showcase and interpret what was being found at the site.
For more information, visit www.visitmosselbay.co.za/archaeology
