Damage to Married Quarters rock engraving site, Wonderstone Mine, Ottosdal, North West Province

In late May or before 12 June 2023 the mine manager at Wonderstone ordered the excavation of a hole 5 x 5 x 3 m in the middle of the archaeological site known as the Married Quarters rock engraving site. Approximately 7.8 % of the site was destroyed (see attached report). Prior to the excavation he removed three pieces of rock with 19th century signatures on them. The Wonderstone Mine is 6 km from Ottosdal, in the North West Province, Ngaka Modidi Molema District, Tswaing Municipality