The riddle of fitzsimons' 'Tzitzikama Cave'

Abstract

Many archaeologists and anthropologists (Clark 1959; Woodhouse 1971) have referred to the interesting information and material obtained from collections along the Tsitsikama coast between Coldstream and Groot River, by F. W. FitzSimons, Director of the Port Elizabeth Museum (1906-1936). This area now falls within the boundaries of the Tsitsikama Coastal National Park, Republic of South Africa. A wealth of material including 23 human skeletons, were apparently collected from one rather large shelter which has, subsequently, become known in the literature as the 'Tzitzikama Cave' (Schauder 1963). The exact location of this cave has, however, never been established. Because of the importance of the material and knowing that it was with-in tlie boundaries of the Tsitsikama Coastal National Park, a search for the Tzitzikama Cave' was made.