Coen Nienaber | University of Pretoria (original) (raw)
Papers by Coen Nienaber
King Mgolombane Sandile Ngqika led the Gaiga ama Rharhabe Xhosa in the Seventh to Ninth Frontier ... more King Mgolombane Sandile Ngqika led the Gaiga ama Rharhabe Xhosa in the Seventh to Ninth Frontier Wars and died during the Ninth Frontier War (1878) after being ambushed. Several legends surround- ing the death of King Sandile exist, one of which states that his skull was taken to England as a trophy by Lieutenant Carrington. His- torically it is known that King Sandile died of a gunshot wound to the trunk, and was buried at Izidenge, between two British soldiers. The present king wanted the grave investigated to confirm the identity of the individual buried here, and to establish whether the skull is present. The grave was excavated and the remains analysed in situ in 2005. Preservation of the remains was generally poor, but a skull and mandible were clearly visible. The skeleton was that of an older male individual of Negroid descent. The feet could not be observed, but the left tibia showed some abnormalities probably indicating weakness of the left leg. Historically it is known t...
This paper highlights the results of multi-disciplinary analyses of naturally mummified inhumatio... more This paper highlights the results of multi-disciplinary analyses of naturally mummified inhumations from Historic Cave, Makapansgat, Limpopo, South Africa. The cave is situated within the Malmani dolomite, and represents a recent doline system within more ancient karstic systems. The site was used as a refuge from conflicts during the Iron Age, and is perhaps best known for the 1854 conflict between Chief Mokopane and a Boer Commando, in which several thousand Langa and Kekana were besieged for a month between October and November, during which time many hundreds died of hunger and thirst. The mummified remains were recovered from formal and informal excavations undertaken over the last 100 years and represent the inhumed bodies of individuals who likely died during the siege of 1854. This research focusses primarily on juvenile individuals, preserved through processes of natural mummification, and which record significant aspects of taphonomic history. Traditional taphonomic approa...
Goodwin Series, 2000
ABSTRACT Human skeletons are a valuable source of information for anyone interested in past popul... more ABSTRACT Human skeletons are a valuable source of information for anyone interested in past populations and ways of life. Although the Mapungubwe/K2 site complex is the only location where a large number of graves have been found at a related group of sites, if one considers all the other sites in the Limpopo Valley and Soutpansberg areas, numerous skeletons are available. This paper summarises the skeletons from the area. Comments are made on the burial practices, although information on this is complicated by the large variation that exists, the lack of proper documentation at excavation, and differences in the interpretations of various researchers. Many questions still need to be answered.
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2002
Unusually large fontanelles were found in four skeletons of children from a cemetery in the North... more Unusually large fontanelles were found in four skeletons of children from a cemetery in the North West Province of South Africa. These remains date from the last decade of the 19th and first half of the 20th century. Three small infants (two of about nine months, and one of about six months) and one child (of about three years) were affected. In the case of the three-year-old child pathologic changes were evident on the rest of the skeleton, which probably resulted in the delayed closure. The cause of the unusually large fontanelles in the other three individuals is less clear. Some possibilities are discussed, but it seems as though general hardship and malnutrition, congenital syphilis or other infectious diseases like rubella syndrome may be involved.
The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 1998
... LATE IRON AGE GOLD BURIALS FROM THULAMELA (PAFURI REGION, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK) ... Thulamela... more ... LATE IRON AGE GOLD BURIALS FROM THULAMELA (PAFURI REGION, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK) ... Thulamela, a thirteenth to seventeenth century site in the northern Kruger National Park, is one of the stone walled, hilltop sites of the Soutpansberg range that lie at the south ...
The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 2002
The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 1999
... Long bone lengths of UP82 are very similar to those of the other skeletons of similar age fro... more ... Long bone lengths of UP82 are very similar to those of the other skeletons of similar age from K2 (Steyn & Henneberg 1996) and no obvious growth retardation was noted (Table ... The hospitality of the National Parks Board and especially Duncan Mac-Fayden must be mentioned ...
HOMO - Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2002
As a result of mining activities, two related graveyards dating from the last decade of the 19 th... more As a result of mining activities, two related graveyards dating from the last decade of the 19 th century and first half of the 20 th century had to be relocated. This provided the opportunity to study 47 skeletons of black South Africans, with the aim of obtaining information on the health status and life style of people from a rural area in a mostly pre-antibiotic era. Although the sample is too small to do a proper palaeodemographic analysis, the age spread of the individuals indicates a high infant mortality rate and generally low life expectancy. Medical services were available, as could be seen from the surgically treated forearm fracture of one individual. One individual had signs of a possible treponemal infection, while subperiosteal bone growth on the ribs of another may indicate tuberculosis. High incidences of arthritic disease and joint degeneration probably indicate a high work load. Enlarged fontanelles with delayed closure were noted in some of the infants. Data on long bone lengths also indicate that the growth of the children may have been retarded in comparison to other similarly aged children. It thus seems as though this was a community under considerable stress. A surprising find was the unusually high incidence of individuals with dental abnormalities and variations.
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Sep 2013
In November 2008, human skeletal remains were discovered during construction works undertaken by ... more In November 2008, human skeletal remains were discovered during construction works undertaken by Carlop Properties in the Chloorkop industrial area, Kempton Park, Gauteng. The Forensic Anthropology Unit of the University of Pretoria, Forensic Anthropology Research Centre (FARC) was notified, and rescue excavations of both the exposed and the undisturbed remains were undertaken. The skeletonised remains of at least 18 individuals were recovered and sent to the Department of Anatomy at the University of Pretoria for standard anthropological analysis. The identity and the time period of these human remains are unknown, and during social consultation, no relatives could be identified. Excavations revealed a formal burial pattern, which suggests a formal cemetery, probably associated with a historic institution. All individuals were buried in wooden coffins in an extended, supine position. The remains consist of both adult and juvenile remains. Some of the remains were found in a commingled state because of disturbance caused by construction work. The minimum number of individuals was determined by the visual pair matching of skeletal elements on the basis of similarities observed in bone morphology, age and sex, trauma and pathology and taphonomic alterations. Bioarchaeological techniques were used, and the following results were obtained. Of the 18 individuals, at least 15 were identified to be males, one possibly female and two juveniles. At least five of the adult male individuals presented with cut marks associated with standard autopsy procedures. No reference to the individuals' identity or to the context of the cemetery within the historical span of the Chloorkop area has been located. However, the burial pattern observed, as well as the demographic profile and pathology observed on the skeletal remains, suggests that these individuals could be linked to the Klipfontein Organic Products Factory (ca 1941s–1970s), which employed many migrant labourers, most to whom lived in compounds on the factory premises. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
King Mgolombane Sandile Ngqika led the Gaiga ama Rharhabe Xhosa in the Seventh to Ninth Frontier ... more King Mgolombane Sandile Ngqika led the Gaiga ama Rharhabe Xhosa in the Seventh to Ninth Frontier Wars and died during the Ninth Frontier War (1878) after being ambushed. Several legends surround- ing the death of King Sandile exist, one of which states that his skull was taken to England as a trophy by Lieutenant Carrington. His- torically it is known that King Sandile died of a gunshot wound to the trunk, and was buried at Izidenge, between two British soldiers. The present king wanted the grave investigated to confirm the identity of the individual buried here, and to establish whether the skull is present. The grave was excavated and the remains analysed in situ in 2005. Preservation of the remains was generally poor, but a skull and mandible were clearly visible. The skeleton was that of an older male individual of Negroid descent. The feet could not be observed, but the left tibia showed some abnormalities probably indicating weakness of the left leg. Historically it is known t...
This paper highlights the results of multi-disciplinary analyses of naturally mummified inhumatio... more This paper highlights the results of multi-disciplinary analyses of naturally mummified inhumations from Historic Cave, Makapansgat, Limpopo, South Africa. The cave is situated within the Malmani dolomite, and represents a recent doline system within more ancient karstic systems. The site was used as a refuge from conflicts during the Iron Age, and is perhaps best known for the 1854 conflict between Chief Mokopane and a Boer Commando, in which several thousand Langa and Kekana were besieged for a month between October and November, during which time many hundreds died of hunger and thirst. The mummified remains were recovered from formal and informal excavations undertaken over the last 100 years and represent the inhumed bodies of individuals who likely died during the siege of 1854. This research focusses primarily on juvenile individuals, preserved through processes of natural mummification, and which record significant aspects of taphonomic history. Traditional taphonomic approa...
Goodwin Series, 2000
ABSTRACT Human skeletons are a valuable source of information for anyone interested in past popul... more ABSTRACT Human skeletons are a valuable source of information for anyone interested in past populations and ways of life. Although the Mapungubwe/K2 site complex is the only location where a large number of graves have been found at a related group of sites, if one considers all the other sites in the Limpopo Valley and Soutpansberg areas, numerous skeletons are available. This paper summarises the skeletons from the area. Comments are made on the burial practices, although information on this is complicated by the large variation that exists, the lack of proper documentation at excavation, and differences in the interpretations of various researchers. Many questions still need to be answered.
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2002
Unusually large fontanelles were found in four skeletons of children from a cemetery in the North... more Unusually large fontanelles were found in four skeletons of children from a cemetery in the North West Province of South Africa. These remains date from the last decade of the 19th and first half of the 20th century. Three small infants (two of about nine months, and one of about six months) and one child (of about three years) were affected. In the case of the three-year-old child pathologic changes were evident on the rest of the skeleton, which probably resulted in the delayed closure. The cause of the unusually large fontanelles in the other three individuals is less clear. Some possibilities are discussed, but it seems as though general hardship and malnutrition, congenital syphilis or other infectious diseases like rubella syndrome may be involved.
The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 1998
... LATE IRON AGE GOLD BURIALS FROM THULAMELA (PAFURI REGION, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK) ... Thulamela... more ... LATE IRON AGE GOLD BURIALS FROM THULAMELA (PAFURI REGION, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK) ... Thulamela, a thirteenth to seventeenth century site in the northern Kruger National Park, is one of the stone walled, hilltop sites of the Soutpansberg range that lie at the south ...
The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 2002
The South African Archaeological Bulletin, 1999
... Long bone lengths of UP82 are very similar to those of the other skeletons of similar age fro... more ... Long bone lengths of UP82 are very similar to those of the other skeletons of similar age from K2 (Steyn & Henneberg 1996) and no obvious growth retardation was noted (Table ... The hospitality of the National Parks Board and especially Duncan Mac-Fayden must be mentioned ...
HOMO - Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2002
As a result of mining activities, two related graveyards dating from the last decade of the 19 th... more As a result of mining activities, two related graveyards dating from the last decade of the 19 th century and first half of the 20 th century had to be relocated. This provided the opportunity to study 47 skeletons of black South Africans, with the aim of obtaining information on the health status and life style of people from a rural area in a mostly pre-antibiotic era. Although the sample is too small to do a proper palaeodemographic analysis, the age spread of the individuals indicates a high infant mortality rate and generally low life expectancy. Medical services were available, as could be seen from the surgically treated forearm fracture of one individual. One individual had signs of a possible treponemal infection, while subperiosteal bone growth on the ribs of another may indicate tuberculosis. High incidences of arthritic disease and joint degeneration probably indicate a high work load. Enlarged fontanelles with delayed closure were noted in some of the infants. Data on long bone lengths also indicate that the growth of the children may have been retarded in comparison to other similarly aged children. It thus seems as though this was a community under considerable stress. A surprising find was the unusually high incidence of individuals with dental abnormalities and variations.
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Sep 2013
In November 2008, human skeletal remains were discovered during construction works undertaken by ... more In November 2008, human skeletal remains were discovered during construction works undertaken by Carlop Properties in the Chloorkop industrial area, Kempton Park, Gauteng. The Forensic Anthropology Unit of the University of Pretoria, Forensic Anthropology Research Centre (FARC) was notified, and rescue excavations of both the exposed and the undisturbed remains were undertaken. The skeletonised remains of at least 18 individuals were recovered and sent to the Department of Anatomy at the University of Pretoria for standard anthropological analysis. The identity and the time period of these human remains are unknown, and during social consultation, no relatives could be identified. Excavations revealed a formal burial pattern, which suggests a formal cemetery, probably associated with a historic institution. All individuals were buried in wooden coffins in an extended, supine position. The remains consist of both adult and juvenile remains. Some of the remains were found in a commingled state because of disturbance caused by construction work. The minimum number of individuals was determined by the visual pair matching of skeletal elements on the basis of similarities observed in bone morphology, age and sex, trauma and pathology and taphonomic alterations. Bioarchaeological techniques were used, and the following results were obtained. Of the 18 individuals, at least 15 were identified to be males, one possibly female and two juveniles. At least five of the adult male individuals presented with cut marks associated with standard autopsy procedures. No reference to the individuals' identity or to the context of the cemetery within the historical span of the Chloorkop area has been located. However, the burial pattern observed, as well as the demographic profile and pathology observed on the skeletal remains, suggests that these individuals could be linked to the Klipfontein Organic Products Factory (ca 1941s–1970s), which employed many migrant labourers, most to whom lived in compounds on the factory premises. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.