Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2013 0:52:52 GMT -5
Springfontein is a small (almost ghost) town on the Free State side of the Orange River.
During the Anglo-Boer War, there was a British concentration camp in the district. Five hundred and sixty eight people of all ages are recorded in the Springfontein Grave Register as having died there between April the fourth and the end of 1901. Their graves can be seen in the concentration camp cemetery. During the war the camp was visited by Emily Hobhouse during her investigations of conditions in the camps.
We obviously did not search the graveyard area. The old Concentration campsite was also out of bounce because most of this area is today situated in the town/residential area with lots of modern junk strewn everywhere.
We did search part of the old municipal dump area that dates from the Boer War era. Lukas had to drive all the way to Trompsburg to get permission from the proper authorities for us to dig on a municipal waste site – go figure!
Later in the afternoon we moved to an area close to an informal settlement where an old British camp was situated but the ground was so rock hard that even the most hardened hunters in our group declared it a lost cause. I barrowed a massive self made digging tool weighing 30 kilograms from Danie, but the thing just bounced off the ground. How some guys managed to dig holes and find some stuff are beyond me?!
Later in the afternoon, we had a nice barbeque on a local farmer’s farm. He had a small museum (mostly old farming implements and the such) and a so called “man cave” with a small bar with lots of old books, historical stuff and vintage sporting equipment that were enjoyed by all.
We were all dead tired when we arrived back at the Hotel at Norvalspond.
Finds-wise it was not our best day of the trip but as the old adage goes – a bad day in the field is always better than a nice day at the office!
Group picture taken the morning at the small block house. The flag of Cork is shown. It is the town where Des from Minelab stays.
Group picture taken the afternoon at the graveyard in Springfontein. It is the only military graveyard of the Anglo-Boer War where Boer and Brit were buried together.
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The farmers house where we had the barbeque.
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What could this be? Any ideas?
...and the Heaviest haul of the day went to Jomo – The ZAR shilling prize sponsored by Tonie.
Colin from the UK calling on a Red Indian god for some detecting help – we had to inform him that he actually was in Africa and not North America (LOL)
Fourth prize of the day went to Dave van Rensburg. At 74, he was the oldest member of our group.
Third prize of the day went to Pierre (If I remember correctly it was for a Royal Irish Regimental button that I found at the rubbish dump area)
Second prize of the day went to Gerry (Dino from the UK)
First Prize of the day went to Robert for his South African Constabulary button
The last picture below is a stunning shot – some dug from dawn to dusk ...
During the Anglo-Boer War, there was a British concentration camp in the district. Five hundred and sixty eight people of all ages are recorded in the Springfontein Grave Register as having died there between April the fourth and the end of 1901. Their graves can be seen in the concentration camp cemetery. During the war the camp was visited by Emily Hobhouse during her investigations of conditions in the camps.
We obviously did not search the graveyard area. The old Concentration campsite was also out of bounce because most of this area is today situated in the town/residential area with lots of modern junk strewn everywhere.
We did search part of the old municipal dump area that dates from the Boer War era. Lukas had to drive all the way to Trompsburg to get permission from the proper authorities for us to dig on a municipal waste site – go figure!
Later in the afternoon we moved to an area close to an informal settlement where an old British camp was situated but the ground was so rock hard that even the most hardened hunters in our group declared it a lost cause. I barrowed a massive self made digging tool weighing 30 kilograms from Danie, but the thing just bounced off the ground. How some guys managed to dig holes and find some stuff are beyond me?!
Later in the afternoon, we had a nice barbeque on a local farmer’s farm. He had a small museum (mostly old farming implements and the such) and a so called “man cave” with a small bar with lots of old books, historical stuff and vintage sporting equipment that were enjoyed by all.
We were all dead tired when we arrived back at the Hotel at Norvalspond.
Finds-wise it was not our best day of the trip but as the old adage goes – a bad day in the field is always better than a nice day at the office!
Group picture taken the morning at the small block house. The flag of Cork is shown. It is the town where Des from Minelab stays.
Group picture taken the afternoon at the graveyard in Springfontein. It is the only military graveyard of the Anglo-Boer War where Boer and Brit were buried together.
.The farmers house where we had the barbeque.
.What could this be? Any ideas?
...and the Heaviest haul of the day went to Jomo – The ZAR shilling prize sponsored by Tonie.
Colin from the UK calling on a Red Indian god for some detecting help – we had to inform him that he actually was in Africa and not North America (LOL)
Fourth prize of the day went to Dave van Rensburg. At 74, he was the oldest member of our group.
Third prize of the day went to Pierre (If I remember correctly it was for a Royal Irish Regimental button that I found at the rubbish dump area)
Second prize of the day went to Gerry (Dino from the UK)
First Prize of the day went to Robert for his South African Constabulary button
The last picture below is a stunning shot – some dug from dawn to dusk ...
