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National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No.25 of 1999)

Regulations

South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) Permit Regulations

Chapter IV : Application for Permit : Archaeological or Palaeontological Site or Meteoriate (Section 34(4))

13. Standards of practice for excavation and removal

 

(1) The permit holder is at all times responsible for the excavation work and the objects recovered and he/she or his/her authorised representative, whose name shall be furnished to SAHRA, must be present at all times during the work.

 

(2) To safeguard meteorites and archaeological and palaeontological sites and artefacts, the permit holder must—
(a) supervise all excavations, castings, removals, sieving and sorting, and ensure that when sieving the smallest mesh suitable for the particular deposit is used;
(b) in the case of archaeological deposits, excavate or remove no more than half of the original deposit or objects, unless the site or object is likely to be destroyed by development, or unless special permission has been obtained from SAHRA;
(c) in the case of archaeological or palaeontological excavations, make a detailed photographic record of the site and work in progress and take photographs of any significant artefacts and/or fossils, trace fossils or trackways recovered in situ, using at least black and white film;
(d) draw an accurate measured drawing of the site on which the positions of all excavations and significant fossils, artefacts and features are marked;
(e) trace any rock paintings or engravings before removal in terms of a permit issued by SAHRA, including those superimposed on any other drawing, painting or engraving, as well as the positions, colours, dimensions and other features of the drawings, paintings or engravings;
(f) make a carbon rubbing or cast, in an acceptable material, of an engraving only if it is likely to be damaged or destroyed unavoidably;
(g) make a detailed record of any graffiti before removal from a painted or engraved surface or site;
(h) leave the site neat and tidy during and after an excavation and fill in the excavation or stabilize the sections, unless SAHRA grants written exemption;
(i) treat all human remains with respect; and
(j) remain aware of the non-renewable nature of archaeological and palaeontological sites and material and not remove them from their original position unnecessarily.