Rock art in the Cederberg

We stayed at Traveller's Rest in the Cederberg for a couple nights. While there, we walked the Sevilla Rock Art trail. This trail meanders along rocky ledges alongside a river valley. Clearly this was the place to hang out as a San hunter-gather (also known as Bushmen) several thousand years ago. Most overhangs, caves and shelters and are adourned with paintings. Although most have deteriorated over the millennia, some are still in fantastic condition.

At the entrance to one of the rock art sites

Looking for rock art amongst the boulders and overhangs

We climbed in and out of the rocks, up to ledges and behind boulders looking for art. While the best paintings were at marked sites, it was really rewarding to find other paintings not at the main sites.

Climbing up to an unmarked site where we found some cool paintings

A beautiful painting known as "The Archer". The brush work is extremely detailed.

Another very detailed painting of a traveller

Checking out some awesome fat ladies

Detail from the previous picture


The picture below is my favorite. I'm sure the caption read:
"Why you shouldn't take your wife hunting"

Perhaps the best moment on the trail was when we got caught in the rain and ran for shelter in the nearest overhang. We ate our lunch there as the rain fell, and then noticed rock art around us. Then we both realized that we were simply repeating a pattern that had happened for thousands of years. You could very easily imagine the guy painting away, not having any clue as to the impact this would have for people several millennia away. A very cool mental time trip.