Blaauboschkraal stone ruins
The Blaauboschkraal stone ruins are a provincial heritage site in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Its neighbouring town, Emgweyna, is 10 kilometres away. The site was declared a national monument on 18 April 1975 and is a heritage site recognised by the South African Heritage Resources Agency.
Shown within Mpumalanga Blaauboschkraal stone ruins (South Africa) | |
| Location | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Region | Mpumalanga |
| Coordinates | 25°35′41″S 30°17′20″E |
| Type | Stone Wall used for agricultural Terracing and as a kraal |
| Part of | Bokoni |
| Length | ≈50m |
| Width | ≈50m |
| Height | ≈1-2m |
| History | |
| Founded | ≈ 16th Century |
| Periods | Late Iron Age |
| Cultures | Bokoni |
| Associated with | Bokoni |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Surface artefact visibility moderate due natural erosional exposure. |
| Public access | Yes |
The Blaauboschkraal stone ruins make up what was part of a large, complex stone walling system built by the Bokoni people. While the exact age of the Blaauboschkraal stone sites is unknown the Bokoni people are estimated to have built stone walled settlements around the early 16th century. The site is assumed to have been used for cattle enclosures, agricultural terracing, and housing for the Bokoni people. This has been hypothesised due to the circular shaping of stone walling that characterises this site.