Cr. Thorp, THE INDIGENOUS CERAMICS FROM ROSE COTTAGE CAVE AND THEIR PLACE IN THEREGIONAL CERAMIC SEQUENCE, South African journal of science, 93(10), 1997, pp. 465-470
This paper presents the results of an analysis of a ceramic assemblage
comprising 1853 sherds from Rose Cottage Cave. Variables considered i
n the analysis are fabric inclusions or temper; sherd thickness, and w
here possible, vessel shape and decoration. Two main components are id
entified within the assemblage and categorised as vessels with grit in
clusions or temper and grass-tempered vessels. The component with grit
inclusions or temper is attributed to both 'Khoi' and agropastoralist
origins, but no satisfactory means of separating these two categories
is found, except in the case of a few diagnostic sherds. The grass-te
mpered vessels are attributed to hunter-gatherers. The ceramic assembl
age is thought to date to the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Agro
pastoralist ceramics may have been obtained through barter exchange fr
om agropastoralist settlements farther north.