Bored Discs of Stone and Rain Control in Kaingo Game Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract Bored disc fragments of quartzitic sandstone were excavated from Welgevonden Rock Shelter and collected from the surface of the talus slope of Dwaalhoek 11 Rock Shelter on Kaingo Game Reserve in the Waterberg. The fragments represent stages of manufacture, breakage, and occasional recycling as grinders. Naturally flat slabs were knapped, often bifacially, to shape discs. Then, small, rounded hollows were pecked to thin the center of both disc faces. Finally, a central hole was pecked and/or punched, probably using a short, narrow stone reamer. Large, sharp-edged discs may have been hafted axes. Small bored discs resemble stone spindle whorls used by Iron Age farmers, but they were probably imitations for ritual purposes. Eiland facies ceramic sherds were also excavated. Since farmers did not live in rock shelters, it seems likely that makers of Eiland ceramics used Welgevonden for working with rain. The performance of drilling discs to make spindle whorls may have been part of the ritual. A rock art motif at a nearby site suggests that the area was also used by Bushmen for working with rain. Conceptually, threads are important for Bushmen and for Iron Age farmers, and both groups link them to rain. Threads spun on spindle whorls are woven into fine cotton for Iron Age chiefs, who are charged with producing rain for their subjects. When Bushman rain specialists trance, they climb threads to access the sky. Here, or from water pits, they use threads to lead rain animals to slaughter.