Oyster Bay

Fig.74 Senior lecturer of the School of Architecture Donald Flint with the students during the site survey in Cape Recife

next page Fig.75 Graphic representation of the survey with theodolite carried out in Cape Recife

Oyster Bay The fish traps at Oyster Bay were surveyed using the same method of theodolites and drones developed at Cape Recife. The site can be reached by walking along the coast coming from the west. Access from the east is impractical owing to sharp and irregular rocks. The other option for reaching the site is by traversing the dunes, covered by a thick forest of spiky fynbos which are now private property. With the help of a local guide, who secured permits and transported us in a 4x4 vehicle, we were able to visit the site by crossing this private property. We first visited this site on 25/11/2017 with Chief Thomas Augustus and the survey with the students took place on 3 and 4 March 2018 during spring tide. We also visited the site a month before the survey (11/02/2018) using the coastal route with Ernst Struwig and the Vosloo family. This visit was important for the purpose of studying the site more closely and deciding whether to use this path with the students. This option was dismissed because it would have taken far too long and would have been exhausting to carry the measuring equipment necessary for the survey. The site is located at a place where the coast pulls back forming a type of recess and, thanks to the fact that the rocks here (unlike at the other sites) are not particularly high, it forms an intertidal zone where the traps were constructed.

Fig.76 Oyster Bay fish traps: plan and diagrammatic section based on the site surveys

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Fig.77 Photo of the fish traps in Oyster Bay

This area is generally important in terms of heritage because of the rich archaeological finds present in the area and because of the coastal forest which is particularly extensive and grows on the very ancient dunes that extend from Oyster Bay parallel to the coast until Cape St. Francis. Despite this, recently there have been drawn out discussions concerning the possible construction of a nuclear power station here which would have a drastic impact on this stretch of coast. The project has been suspended thanks to a group of KhoiSan locals in coordination with the local residents. The fish traps at this site are the most extensive ones included in our study. The area is around 300 metres long parallel to the coast and around 55 metres wide. The structures are still intact and can be read easily (image 76 and 79). The system in its entirety is composed of three adjacent systems indicated in diagram 76 by A-B-A where A is circa 45 by 140 metres (ratio1:3), while B is 45 by 60 metres. The two systems most exposed to ocean currents (B and A) have the same design of a succession of three single-room traps with the central one being the largest.

Fig.78 Graphic representationof the fish traps in Oyster Bay

Fig.79 Aerial photo of the fish traps in Oyster Bay.