The Rock Carvings of Twyfelfontein
Twyfelfontein has one of the largest concentrations of rock paintings and engravings in Africa. Over 2,000 figures have been documented to date. Most of these well-preserved engravings represent rhinoceroses, elephants, ostriches and giraffes as well as drawings of human and animal footprints; with some of the oldest artefacts dating back to the Late Stone Age. The imagery suggests the rock art was linked to the belief system of hunter-gatherers who dominated the area until the arrival of pastoralists around 1000 AD.
Richtersveld National Park
The 160,000 ha Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape of dramatic mountainous desert in the north-west part of South Africa has also been recognized as a world heritage site. This property sustains the semi-nomadic livelihood of the Nama people, reflecting seasonal patterns that may have persisted for as much as two millennia in Southern Africa. It is the only area where the Nama still construct their portable houses (haru oms). The Nama people collect medicinal and other plants and have a strong oral tradition associated with different places and attributes of the landscape.
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