UNIVERSITY OF
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
dr. Opperman’s Collection
RECORDS, 1970-1996
(bulk dates, 1974-1989)
3 boxes (.3 linear metres)
ACQUISITION:
University of
ACCESS: The collection is open
PHOTOGRAPHS:
Located in
VISUAL MATERIAL:
AUDIO MATERIAL: None
PRINTED MATERIAL: See the posters
COPYRIGHT: University of
PROCESSED BY: Mosoabuli Maamoe, May 2005
History
Professor Opperman was one of the University of Fort Hare academics who carried an extensive work on excavations in the Eastern Cape including Fort Hare itself. Though he worked in the Dept of African Studies he was involved in the archaeological work. He taught for a couple of years until he vacated and resigned in the nineties. The huge collections he excavated and gathered are available at the university. These collections have been stored awaiting proper arrangement and use. Since the departure of Prof. Opperman, his work on excavations had been discontinued. He, however, left behind valuable treasure that could be continued by whoever might substitute him or serve as a resource for search by archaeologists.
Scope and Content Note
Prof Opperman’s Collection is comprised of 0.3 linear metres and one series: the Subject Files. The series reflects a wide range of practical job done by Prof Opperman during his service under the University of Fort Hare between 1970s and 90s. Though the collection is not bulky, it does give the depth of archaeological work executed by him.
Box 1
Subject Files
Excavation sites
1. Barawe (published) field notes, 1987
2. Buffelskloof, 1974-1975
3. Colwinton Grassridge; field notes, 1978-1980 (2folders)
4. Cradock-Hot Water Springs (not published), 1972-1973/1975-1979
5. Glen Gyle-North Eastern Cape, 1978
6. Prospect North Eastern Cape, 1979
7. Ravenscraig, 1981
8. Reports, 1980/1982-1983
9. Te Vrede, 1981
10. Wart Rail-North Eastern Cape
11. Woody Specimen, 1979
Box 2
Fort Hare Stone Age Site
12. Correspondence, 1970/1974-1976
13. Field notes (2folders)
14. First Fort Harians
15. Photographs, 1974
16. Plans
17. Report: Radiocarbon analysis, 1982
18. Report: Excavations at Fort Hare, 1982
Strathalan Cave A
19. Correspondence, 1998
20. Diary, 1987
21. Field notes, 1994/1996
22. Papers
Aspects of African Archaeology
A 300 year-old living floor in Strathalan Cave A, Maclear District, Eastern Cape, 1999
23. Photographs
24. Plan, 1987/1989
Box 3
Strathalan Cave B
25. Artifact distribution, 1989/1991
26. Artifact distribution maps, 1989
27. Carbon 14 Daterings, 1988-1991
28. Diary, 1989
29. Field notes, 1987-1991 (4folders)
30. Plan
31. Reports, 1990/1992
32. “Strategrafie”, 1989
Oversize Documents
1. Artifact distribution (Strathalan Cave B)
2. Fort Hare Stone Age Site