| Stadsaal Caves | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Interactive map of Stadsaal Caves | |
| Location | Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve Western Cape |
| Coordinates | 32°31′22″S19°19′3″E / 32.52278°S 19.31750°E /-32.52278; 19.31750 |
TheStadsaal Caves (orStadtsaal, meaning "town hall") are located in theCederberg,South Africa. The area is notable for rock formations, caves and overhangs formed by erosion of lower layers of the sandstone, as well as prehistoric rock paintings. Stadsaal forms part of theMatjiesrivier Nature Reserve, which was purchased byWWF South Africa in 1995 and is administered byCapeNature.
San rock art depicting human figures and elephants is located in an overhang near the Stadsaal Caves.[1][2][3][4] Cederberg rock art is believed to range between 8000 years old and 100 to 200 years old.[5]
The caves also include modern graffiti, some dating back to the late 19th century, as visitors recorded their names and date of visit. Prominent names includeD. F. Malan, later Prime Minister of South Africa, who visited the site in 1919 as Member of Parliament for the Calvinia constituency in which the Cederberg fell. Local farmers arranged annual gatherings at Stadsaal from 1918 to raise funds for Malan'sNational Party.[6] Prime MinisterP. W. Botha and cabinet ministerDawie de Villiers also visited Stadsaal in 1987 and their names, now vandalised, are also recorded on the rock.[7]
The site is open to the public and both the main caves and the San rock paintings nearby are accessible via a gravel road. Permits to visit are available from CapeNature offices at Matjiesrivier or Algeria and from guest farms at Dwars River, Krom River and others in the Cederberg Conservancy.[8]
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