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Report on the investigation, exhumation and relocation of a number of known and unknown graves on two sites impacted by opencast coal mining operations on portion 1 of the farm Moabsvelden 248IR near Delmas, Mpumalanga (Exxaro Leeuwpan Coal Mine).
- See document here on SAHRA.org.za...
- The information contained in this report is the sole intellectual property of APELSER ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTING cc. It may only be used for the purposes it was commissioned for by the client. ©Copyright
- Used here for education purposes only.
- Used here for education purposes only.
Anton Pelser (of APELSER ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSULTING cc) was appointed by SLR Consulting in conjunction with AVBOB Johannesburg, on behalf of EXXARO Leeuwpan Coal Mine, to undertake the archaeological investigation, exhumation and relocation of a number of known and unknown graves on two sites (named MV & LP respectively) on Portion 1 of the farm Moabsvelden 248IR.
These graves will be impacted on by expanding mining operations (opencast coal) of the Exxaro Leeuwpan Coal Mine, situated close to Delmas in Mpumalanga. These sites were identified during earlier surveys by Van Vollenhoven (2012) for the mine, and were re-assessed in 2014 by Pelser as part of the required processes for the proposed exhumation and relocation. A total of 47 graves were recorded in 2014, but after detailed site cleaning and consultation, a final number of 61 graves were exhumed and relocated from these sites.
The two sites are essentially the location of the African/Black farm workers and their family members (Site MV –Moabsvelden) and the European farmers and other white residents (Site LP –for Leeuwpan), with 32 graves relocated from MV and 29 from LP. Although many of the graves were identified by their headstones and through social consultation, a few remained unknown. Many of the graves were older than 60 years of age and a SAHRA permit (Permit ID#1990) were applied for and issued in addition to the other permits obtained by AVBOB. This document represent a Final Report on the results of the work conducted, and based on this the expanding mining operations in this area can continue.
Site LP:
The 2014 assessment indicated that the site could contain approximately 35 graves, many with headstones and legible inscriptions. This graveyard contained European graves of farmers/farm owners in the area. Most of the graves were older than 60 years of age, with some unknown as the inscriptions had been obliterated. Two graves were younger than 60 (with dates of 1957 and 1974 respectively). The other death dates rangedbetween 1903 (oldest) and 1953. The following families were identified during the 2014 assessment from headstone inscriptions: Opperman, Williams, Venter, De Beer, Keller, Rademeyer or Rademan, Booysen and Joubert. During the 2015 exhumation and relocation process a total of 29 positively identified graves were exhumed and relocated.
GPS: S26°08.380 E28°47.865
- Williams (7 graves)
- de Beer (2 graves)
- Keller (2 graves)
- Rademeyer (3 graves)
- Venter (9 graves)
- Wheeler (1 grave)
- Viljoen (1 grave)
- Joubert (1 grave)
- Opperman (2 graves)
- Unknown (1 grave)
D
- Johannes Stephanus de Beer 1874 - 1957 (added)
- J.S. de Beer (LP03) was an adult male who died in 1957. Some remains as well as coffin pieces, corrugated iron sheeting and coffin handles were recovered.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 201.
- J.S. de Beer (LP03) was an adult male who died in 1957. Some remains as well as coffin pieces, corrugated iron sheeting and coffin handles were recovered.
- Catharina Petronella de Beer (Venter) 1880 - 1938 (added)
- Catharina Petronella de Beer (LP04) passed away in 1938 aged 58 years. Once again some fragmented remains, metal poles and corrugated iron sheeting was found.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 202.
- Catharina Petronella de Beer (LP04) passed away in 1938 aged 58 years. Once again some fragmented remains, metal poles and corrugated iron sheeting was found.
J
- Petrus Jacobus Joubert 1864 - 1905 (invited)
- No comment by author of report re: this burial pit however from photos of LP 18 it appears only a soil sample was taken for reburial purposes. Petrus Jacobus Joubert (LP 18) was murdered by Chinese Deserters on August 16 1905 during what became known as the Moabsvelden tragedy. Excerpt from Chinese Labour in South Africa, 1902-10: Race, Violence, and Global Spectacle by R. Bright:
- The change from a general anxiety to a full-blown panic happened in the summer of 1905 as a direct result of the murder of an Afrikaner farmer by housebreaking Chinese men in August 1905, popularly known as the ‘Moabsvelden tragedy’. Piet Joubert was an Afrikaner farmer at Moabsvelden in the Bronkhorstspruit district. On 16 August 1905, he was stabbed and his wife, ten year old son and infant son were all wounded in the attack. Two daughters aged thirteen and fifteen witnessed the attacks from their room next to the living room. At around 11:30pm, they were woken by noises and saw Joubert fighting with a Chinese man by the window. There were at least three other Chinese men, one with a pickaxe. One girl slipped out the window to grab nearby relatives. The other went to her parents’ bedroom to warn their mother, but found the mother and baby hurt and laying on the ground outside. The older son was later found with a head wound. Neighbours from up to five miles away gathered and formed an armed search party, arresting the next day four blooded Chinese found nearby with stolen Joubert property. The Reuters report spread the story around the world; it was the most reported case of violence involving the Chinese.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 209.
- No comment by author of report re: this burial pit however from photos of LP 18 it appears only a soil sample was taken for reburial purposes. Petrus Jacobus Joubert (LP 18) was murdered by Chinese Deserters on August 16 1905 during what became known as the Moabsvelden tragedy. Excerpt from Chinese Labour in South Africa, 1902-10: Race, Violence, and Global Spectacle by R. Bright:
K
- Josephus Anthonie Keller
- Joseph Antonie Keller (LP05) was 7 years old when he died in 1937 according to the family who was present during the exhumations. Corrugated iron sheeting and some fragmented remains were retrieved from his burial pit.
- https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BY-6SPN-M?i=121
- Verdict: Death due to dislocation of the cervical spine - crushed spinal cord - struck by motor car driven by witness E.O. Kahlberg.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 203.
- Gosefes Keller
- LP 27 was the grave of Gosefes Keller, a baby boy of unknown age and date of death. Only a soil sample was taken for reburial purposes.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 212.
- LP 27 was the grave of Gosefes Keller, a baby boy of unknown age and date of death. Only a soil sample was taken for reburial purposes.
O
- Christina Opperman
- Christina Opperman (LP22) was an adult female. Her age and date of death is not known to the family and no remains were found. Soil samples were taken for reburial.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 210.
- Christina Opperman (LP22) was an adult female. Her age and date of death is not known to the family and no remains were found. Soil samples were taken for reburial.
- Johannes Opperman
- Johannes Opperman (LP23) was an adult male of unknown age and date of death and once again no remains were found in his burial pit. Soil samples were taken for reburial.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 211.
- Johannes Opperman (LP23) was an adult male of unknown age and date of death and once again no remains were found in his burial pit. Soil samples were taken for reburial.
R
Drummond Corrie: There may be a mistake in the report re: the Rademeyer remains as author refers to Ignatius Rademeyer LP06, Sister Rademeyer LP07 and Brother Rademeyer LP09. However in Appendix II –List of Graves and New Locations the author then associates LP06 with JS de Beer and Sundra 204. JS de Beer associated earlier in paper with LP03 and Sundra 201. Will assume LP06 and Sundra 204 relate to Baby Ignatius Rademeyer for the sake of this project and seek clarification from author.
- Baby Ignatius Rademeyer
- Baby Ignatius Rademeyer (LP06) was only 2 days old when he passed away on 18.01.1934. Only a soil sample was taken for reburial.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 204.
- Baby Ignatius Rademeyer (LP06) was only 2 days old when he passed away on 18.01.1934. Only a soil sample was taken for reburial.
- Unnamed Sister Rademeyer
- The unnamed baby sister (LP07) of Ignatius Rademeyer buried here according to the family who was present at the exhumations. The date of death and exact age of the individual is not known, but some fragmented remains were recovered, although these remains seemingly belong to a more adult person (maybe a young adult?).
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 205.
- The unnamed baby sister (LP07) of Ignatius Rademeyer buried here according to the family who was present at the exhumations. The date of death and exact age of the individual is not known, but some fragmented remains were recovered, although these remains seemingly belong to a more adult person (maybe a young adult?).
- Unnamed Brother Rademeyer
- Another baby Rademeyer (a brother of the other two) was buried in LP09. Once again no remains were found and a soil sample was taken. The age and death date is unknown.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 206.
- Another baby Rademeyer (a brother of the other two) was buried in LP09. Once again no remains were found and a soil sample was taken. The age and death date is unknown.
V
- Elisabeth Loret Venter (Prinsloo) 1851 - 1926 (invited)
- Elisabeth Loreth Venter (LP08) was a 74 year old female, born on 26 August 1851 and died on 15 January 1926. Only fragmented remains and some coffin wood was recovered.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 191.
- Elisabeth Loreth Venter (LP08) was a 74 year old female, born on 26 August 1851 and died on 15 January 1926. Only fragmented remains and some coffin wood was recovered.
- Jan Adriaan Venter 1875 - 1939 (added)
- LP13 was the grave of Jan Andriaan Venter, a 63 year old male (born 30 November 1875 died 03 August 1939). Only fragmented skeletal remains and some coffin material were found.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 187.
- LP13 was the grave of Jan Andriaan Venter, a 63 year old male (born 30 November 1875 died 03 August 1939). Only fragmented skeletal remains and some coffin material were found.
- Hendrina Fransina Venter (Opperman) 1887 - 1925 (added)
- Hendriena Franciena Venter (LP14) was an adult female of unknown age and date of death. Some bone and corrugated iron sheeting was retrieved from her burial pit.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 182.
- Hendriena Franciena Venter (LP14) was an adult female of unknown age and date of death. Some bone and corrugated iron sheeting was retrieved from her burial pit.
- Daniel Jacobus Venter
- Daniel Jacobus Venter (LP15) was 28 years old when he passed away in 1918. No remains were preserved and a soil sample was taken for reburial.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 176.
- Daniel Jacobus Venter (LP15) was 28 years old when he passed away in 1918. No remains were preserved and a soil sample was taken for reburial.
- Infant brother of D.J. Venter
- The infant baby brother of D.J. Venter was buried in LP16. Only a small amount of fragmented remains were found.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 178.
- The infant baby brother of D.J. Venter was buried in LP16. Only a small amount of fragmented remains were found.
- Daniel Jacobus Venter 1890 - 1918
- Grave LP19 was the grave of Daniel Jacobus Venter (also died in 1918). Some bone and corrugated iron sheeting was found.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 179.
- Grave LP19 was the grave of Daniel Jacobus Venter (also died in 1918). Some bone and corrugated iron sheeting was found.
- Jochemus Johannes Venter
- Jochemus Johannes Venter (LP25) was an adult male of unknown age and date of death. Some skeletal remains, coffin wood and corrugated iron were recovered.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 200.
- Jochemus Johannes Venter (LP25) was an adult male of unknown age and date of death. Some skeletal remains, coffin wood and corrugated iron were recovered.
- Christina Maria Venter 1892 - 1926
- Christina Maria Venter (LP26) was 34 years old when she passed away on 28 December 1926. Fragmented human remains were preserved.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 197.
- Christina Maria Venter (LP26) was 34 years old when she passed away on 28 December 1926. Fragmented human remains were preserved.
- Daniel Jacobus Venter 1918 - 1919
- The last Venter family member was buried in LP28. This was Daniel Jacobus Venter, a 10 month old boy who was born on 25 July 1918 and who died on the 13th of May 1919. Only a soil sample was taken for reburial.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 177.
- The last Venter family member was buried in LP28. This was Daniel Jacobus Venter, a 10 month old boy who was born on 25 July 1918 and who died on the 13th of May 1919. Only a soil sample was taken for reburial.
- David Jacobus Viljoen 1863 - 1912
- David Jacobus Viljoen (LP17) was 49 years of age (born on 16.01.1863 died on 09.03.1912) when he passed away. No remains were recovered, with a soil sample only taken.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 208.
- David Jacobus Viljoen (LP17) was 49 years of age (born on 16.01.1863 died on 09.03.1912) when he passed away. No remains were recovered, with a soil sample only taken.
W
- Baby Wheeler
- Baby Wheeler (LP11), whose family was present during the exhumations, is an infant of unknown age, sex or date of death. No remains were found and a soil sample reburied.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 207.
- Baby Wheeler (LP11), whose family was present during the exhumations, is an infant of unknown age, sex or date of death. No remains were found and a soil sample reburied.
- J. J. M. Williams c. 1891 - 1974
- J.J.M. Williams (LP01) was an 83 year old female who died on 25.07.1974. The name on the headstone was J.J.M.Williams, but on a plaque in the grave the name Johanna M. Venter was inscribed. Some skeletal remains and coffin wood was recovered.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 196.
- J.J.M. Williams (LP01) was an 83 year old female who died on 25.07.1974. The name on the headstone was J.J.M.Williams, but on a plaque in the grave the name Johanna M. Venter was inscribed. Some skeletal remains and coffin wood was recovered.
- W. P. Williams
- W.P. Williams (LP02) was an adult person of unknown age. The date of death is not known, and with the fragmented remains it was not possible to determine the sex of the individual. Some corrugated iron sheeting, coffin wood and coffin handles were also recovered
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 198.
- T. A. Williams
- T.A. Williams (LP10) was another adult whose age and date of death was not known, as well as the individuals’ sex. Some skeletal remains, corrugated iron and coffin wood was found in the grave.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 190.
- T.A. Williams (LP10) was another adult whose age and date of death was not known, as well as the individuals’ sex. Some skeletal remains, corrugated iron and coffin wood was found in the grave.
- Unnamed Baby Williams
- LP12 was the grave of the unnamed Baby Williams. The date of death is unknown, and with no remains found only a soils sample was taken for reburial purposes.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra188.
- LP12 was the grave of the unnamed Baby Williams. The date of death is unknown, and with no remains found only a soils sample was taken for reburial purposes.
- Thomas Alexander Williams 1867 - 1932 (added)
- LP20 was the grave of Thomas Alexander Williams, and adult male of unknown age and date of death. Some remains and corrugated iron sheeting was recovered.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 193.
- LP20 was the grave of Thomas Alexander Williams, and adult male of unknown age and date of death. Some remains and corrugated iron sheeting was recovered.
- Anna Cecilia Williams (Booysen) 1873 - 1952 (added)
- Annie Cecelia Williams (LP21) was an adult female of unknown age and date of death. Very fragmented pieces of skeletal material were recovered from her burial pit.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 199.
- Annie Cecelia Williams (LP21) was an adult female of unknown age and date of death. Very fragmented pieces of skeletal material were recovered from her burial pit.
- John Vincent Williams
- John Vincent Williams (LP24) was the last of the Williams family members. Once again his age (although he was an adult male) and date of death was not known, and only fragmented skeletal remains were recovered as well.
- Original tombstone shifted to Sundra 195.
- John Vincent Williams (LP24) was the last of the Williams family members. Once again his age (although he was an adult male) and date of death was not known, and only fragmented skeletal remains were recovered as well.
UNKNOWN
- Unknown Baby
- The last grave on the site (LP29a) contained no remains, and based on size of the grave and burial pit was most likely that of an infant. A soil sample was reburied.
- New tombstone erected at Sundra 213
- The last grave on the site (LP29a) contained no remains, and based on size of the grave and burial pit was most likely that of an infant. A soil sample was reburied.