9/2/236/0034

The Boomplaats rock engraving complex contains the most significant collection of rock engravings made by pre-colonial Later Iron Age farming communities in South Africa, and serves as an invaluable historic record of a deep-rooted cultural identity associated with the landscape. This identity survives to the present day where local descendants of the Later Iron Age farmers identify with the site. The site also has significant potential to be developed for tourism and to serve as a place where this rich cultural heritage can be dispersed to visitors. Boomplaats was the first site of its kind to be recorded more than a century ago, and has been the at the centre of scientific research for this type of archaeological site ever since, greatly contributing towards our understanding of Later Iron Age  farmer communities’ social organisation, and also served to corroborate interpretations of researchers regarding Later Iron Age settlement layout and function, serving as a window into the world of the BaKoni. These socio-cultural, historic and scientific research values, along with the stunning aesthetic value of the engravings, coupled to their fine state of preservation, bestow on Boomplaats a site significance of national importance. 
Social value through the value which the engravings have in modern times for individuals and communities alike. Descendants of the LIA farmers identify with the engravings and associate it with their cultural identity. Modern society rediscovers a different type of value when they are able to understand and interpret the engravings. This is not only true for a related culture but also within cross-cultural relations. Modern South African society embrace cultural diversity and have mutual respect for one-another’s cultural identity as well as heritage objects associated with identity. Development of sites such as Boomplaats Rock Engraving site as a tourist attraction will serve to reach an even broader audience.

Historic value - two types of historic significance are applicable for the Boomplaats site. The first is the historic sequence of scientific discovery and recording of the engravings at the site and the second is how the site influenced the lives of local communities before and shortly after its scientific discovery. Both add value to our understanding and interpretation of the site in modern society. It serves as contextual reference when the site is introduced to a varied public audience.

Scientific value - the site has vastly contributed towards our understanding of LIA farmer communities’ social organisation and also served to corroborate interpretations of researchers regarding LIA settlement layout and function. A number of scientific publications exist about the Boomplaats site. It is regularly referenced when academics discuss Southern African rock (engraving) art. Although relatively thoroughly researched, the engravings site still holds more potential for future scientific scrutiny. The engravings underlines ethnographic information about BaKoni settlement layout and their world view. It is a window into their world. To the observer it has the potential to introduce an ancient society and therefore has valuable educational properties.

Aesthetic value - the engravings are all works of art and some images are of a more abstract nature than others. They are aesthetically pleasing to the observer and reproductions in modern media including images, artistic depictions and drawings are tools in marketing this cultural treasure. This characteristic makes the engravings easy to display for educational purposes.