Discover the earliest forms of patterns and symbols
Elands Bay Cave | Elands Bay
Breathtaking San and Khoe rock art have been found in the Elands Bay Cave in the hills above the Elands Bay harbour, about 5km from the centre of the village.
This site was first occupied during the Middle Stone Age, dating back more than 80 000 years, and intermittently during the Later Stone Age until possibly 500 years ago. Rock paintings include large images of eland, regarded by the San as spiritual creatures, as well as smaller antelope and other animals. Most striking are the many small handprints on the cave walls, some of which are believed to be those of children and young teenagers. The site is open to the public free of charge, but visitors are requested to stay on the demarcated path and not touch the rock art since this may cause irreversible damage to the paintings.
