Diggin' up Steinaecker's Horse

Colonel Ludwig von Steinaecher

Steinaeker's Horse was a volunteer military unit fighting on the side of the British that operated mainly in the Lowveld and Swaziland during the Second Anglo Boer War which was fought between Great Britain and the two Boer republics, Transvaal (Zuid-Afrikaansche Republieck or ZAR) and the Orange Free State.

Steinaecker's Horse had many outposts along the border between the ZAR and the Portuguese territory. One of these was a large post at Sabi Bridge where they also erected a blockhouse at the eastern side of the southern end of the temporary bridge. Captain AW Greenhill-Gardyne, the adjutant of Colonel Von Steinaecker, was placed in command of the garrison at Sabi Bridge. The site is currently being investigated through archaeological excavations.

Archaetnos

some of 2014's diggers; Dr van V is 4th from the right

In the month of August I will take part in one of the excavations, the 2015 Steinaecker's Horse project in Kruger Natonal Park (KNP) under the guidance of Dr. Anton C. van Vollenhoven, a professor at the University of Pretoria and a partner of Archaetnos Archaeologists & Heritage Consultants.

The Gaza Gray Outpost, where we will be excavating, is one of the largest sites associated with Steinaecker's Horse and is situated in the south of the Lower Sabie rest camp in KNP. It is named after Edward George (Gaza) Gray who was a captain in the Steinaecker's Horse unit.

The Steinaecker's Horse excavation project led by Archaetnos Archaeologists is now in its eighteenth year! Much of the current focus will be to do research on the involvement of the indigenous people during the war, an area that has not previously received much attention from researchers. Along with skeletal remains, previous excavations have produced artifacts such as traditional non-European ceramic potsherds as well as spent cartridges and shot gun cartridges probably used by indigenous people for hunting.

map of KNP dig sites

It is interesting to note the greater significance of Steinaecker's unit to the overall establishment of KNP. Rules implemented by them to conserve the game in the area were used as guidelines when the park was founded. Quite a few Steinaecker's Horse soldiers became some of the first game rangers of the new KNP after the war, of which the most famous was Henry Wolhuter.

I first heard about the excavation and the history of Steinaecker's Horse in January through a call for volunteers that I read in The Heritage Portal's newsletter. I had been looking for an opportunity to participate in an archaeological dig in South Africa so I immediately signed up. Then I somehow convinced my American expat anthropologist friend Jonnie to join me as my tent-mate on this adventure.

Dr. van V fills in the details & answers questions about the dig

Since March when the dig group was finalized, all of our communication has been through email and via a private Yahoo group. Until yesterday when most of us met for an introductory braai at Dr. van V's home in Arcadia, Pretoria. Unfortunately Jonnie is back in Connecticut recovering from some surgery and could not be there, but Vince and I had her husband Bob over for a Memorial Day barbecue later that day and I gave him a full report to bring back to Jonnie.

most of SH2015 Gaza Gray group

The most important tip I learned at the kick-off braai is never to mention the word "rain" or any synonym or even any variation of any type of moisture-coming-down-from-the-sky while on the dig. Rain means no work. And no work means ... no work. Any mention of said moisture will earn you a "straf" (penalty.) I am not sure what the penalty exactly is but I do not intend to find out. No matter how badly I may want a day off from work!

wood behind the combie

I also found out we will all be given an individual daily responsibility around camp during our stay. And to get us in the mood, the custom at the kick-off braai is to practice taking instructions. We were asked to move our portion of the campfire wood (two bags) from the woodpile behind the combie to the one in front of the combie which will later be loaded onto the supply truck for transport to Kruger. I did and I passed the test!

woodpile in front of the combie

SH2015 Gaza Gray. Bring it on!