Stones and trees Earthcache EarthCache
Stones and trees Earthcache
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This cache shows ancient stone kraals and how trees have adapted in grassland to survive against fire.
When approaching this cache, from about 100 metres it is interesting to see how the trees stand alone in a small rocky outcrop on a grassy slope. These rocks form a protection know as a "fire collar" for the trees which are very sensitive to fire. Evidence from the reserve indicate that stone age hunter-gatherers used the hills as a revuge while hunting the abundant wildlife which inhabited the surrounding grassy plains. Iron age man, with cultures developed in the far north, pisplaced that late stone age man and it is generally accepted that the first large scale settlement of the reserve occured about 400-500 years ago. The best preserve part of the reserve's prehostoric record are a large number of stonewalled sites similar to this one in which you would be standing and which date to the late iron age. These iron age shelters are spread over the western side of the reserve where, because of its geological make-up, abundant building material was avilable for the construction of the stone enclosures. Associated with the stonewalled sites are ash heaps, which represent the debris, swept from the yard and hut floors by the womenfolk. Excavations of several of the larger ash heaps, which are recognised as small knolls covered with short grass have revealed the remains of many of the food and implements these iron age people used. Trees have over the years managed to survive amongst these stone walls, as this is the only place on the grassy plains where fire do not reach easily.
To log this cache, please provide a photo of your group and/or email the cache owner with the trail marker number found at this point, as well as, one edible and one non-edible item that could be found in the ash heaps excavated near these kraals. This information is obtainable from the trail booklet as published by the Nature reserve.
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