First you have to meet the seekers and defenders of anything lithic in KZN Midlands.
With the ‘official’ write-up done (see previous 6 posts), this blog can continue in a relaxed and hopefully informative manner.
This is the story of a journey. In all senses of the word.
* A process of discovery. Learning about and accepting the incredulous and mysterious synchronicities that put knowing people in needed places as well as telling books in waiting hands.
* A perpetual passage of knowledge (new and old) which often steers focus into unexpected directions. Accumulation of on-going research, information of similar finds world-wide, ever-advancing technology and exciting discoveries that keep rocking our world.
* A like-minded and dynamic interconnectedness with other adventurers and seekers. Over the years the team of explorers has expanded and evolved into a tribe of ‘stoned-crazies’, rock-gongers and star gazers.
Amongst this group there are researchers, conservationists, historians, amateur geo-archaeologists, geologists, engineers, medical professionals, corporate bosses, IT-specialist, foresters, farmers, esoteric experts, and general happy hikers. Thank you all for your specific and special input.
But there is a core group that strives to link the relevant research, latest technology and new finds to the greater cause of protecting these sites for future intensive investigations. These are the individuals that contributed to my research and criticized my write-up, until it was ready (as can be) for scrutinising by academics, corporates and scientists. Research and theorising to demonstrate our (South African) contribution to many ancient connections between heritage sites. To benefit from the many discoveries now surfacing in a rapidly expanding proof of earth’s prehistory. This is but a rudimentary introduction to the rock-solid protectors of local stones of significance (the small circle of most recent researchers and data-collectors):
** Max Ramseier: Godfather of the Standing Stones in Karkloof
Max is a retired Electrical Engineer who loves undisturbed nature. His passion for hiking leads him to many interesting places that he keenly shares with all. He lives by his philosophical motto: “Explore, using all the senses to understand a tiny little part of what we experience”. His diverse collection of books is proof of his enquiring mind.
True to his pedantic nature he spends many hours poring over municipal 1:50 000 maps of surrounding hills and valleys. After much pondering he then meticulously rulers in the straight red lines – connecting dots and marking spots.
With a packed Vegan and healthy lunch and a permit to enter surrounding forests, he follows these mapped lines, explores the plotted area and more often than not, finds significant stone sites dotted over a mysterious landscape. Once he shares his finds with the group, he leaves questions hanging while awestruck fellow hikers try to make sense of megalithic structures in all shapes and sizes.
Max’s wish to make more people aware of this phenomenon in order to protect it for prosperity, led to a slide presentation during the early days of searching. In the audience an astute listener asked all the right questions. He was quickly pulled into the group …
** Dave Burt: Map Magician
Although Dave was on a different quest, his fascination with Max’s finds showed in his questions after an explanatory presentation.
He is a trail runner and a dead-line-busy operator. His interest in stones, high sites and mapping alignments comes from an earlier deeper research into other alignments and their masonic connections.
The group benefits from his particular interest in geometry and his fluency in satellite language combined with exciting apps. This makes us privy to breath-taking geo-morphological maps and colourful pictures of our surrounds.
Fortunately, he is an instinctive and wise soundboard and many ideas get bounced of his insights. Without his input, the growth of this group and the process of discovery, the unveiling and the fascination could not have been so rapid or so solid.
Please make time to watch the summary of his work done thus far:
https://youtu.be/aNvUMZ30IQg
** Donald Davies: Watcher of local History and Researcher.
It was Donald that introduced me to Max. With what started out as a rock gong search, other stone structures surfaced. Donald, Max and a mutual friend Gordon have been working on the alignments of standing stones and been plotting patterns for years to find the significance of these formations’ positions. With regards to standing stones he is focused more on the calendar alignments which subsequently involves equinoxes and solstices. But it’s the ancient mining activities that intrigues him and created his initial special bond with rocks.
Apart from keeping the group informed of recent publications in all aspects of the field, he also does local history/wars/shipwrecks/genealogy/archaeology research for documentary enquiries and title deed disputes.
When he is not building dams or controlling other water matters, he is a keen explorer along the red lines on Max’s maps (mostly in the hope of finding old mines and signs of melting activities). And when there are sites to be scouted, he is a willing and able companion if time allows, which leads to our next member. …
** Michelle Moses: Happy Hiker and Outing Chaperone
Chaperone indeed – with home-baked scones and freshly brewed coffee she pulls the crew straight before any outing. Come rain or shine, she’s a happy explorer and can pride herself in finding weird and wonderful places consisting of monoliths, rock gongs and stone walls that stretch from nothing to nowhere.
Michelle is an organiser of things. With her natural flair she labels places, people and meetings. Even when corporates make our ‘normal life’ turn into a tornado, she calmly comes to our rescue, efficient and consistent.
Once out in the field then the Happy Hiker surfaces and thought-provoking philosophies come bubbling forth.
Her not-so-much-retired-analytical brain stimulates the group’s essential lateral thinking. Forever keeping the questioning fresh. And the hope that answers will be found …
**Zillah Cameron: Fellow Gong hunter and spiritual interpreter
Feeling feelings beyond my grasp and her limitless enthusiasm about the magic of nature, Zillah inspired many outings. Her access to esoteric realms and publications opened dimensions for me that would not have come naturally. Apart from that, her wicked sense of humor and infectious giggle made any steep and tiring climb worth it. And with her abilities some unexplained rocks and effigies appeared.
She is a keeper of things – organising Max’s vast collection of books and scribbles and maps. And a keeper of the believe that there is much much more to the Midlands’ significant stones than meets the eye …
**Annalie Kleinloog: Gong Zealot = me
I’m a good-wife, a done-it-all-for-the-children mother, a doting granny with a passion for anything rocky, especially prehistoric and megalithic. Nowadays, Google Earth is my biggest time-spent hobby apart from reading and writing. The recent concept of rock gongs will dominate future entries.
This blog is my journey from an independent perspective, with the regular input from all who might be interested in this exploration. Regular references to academic material and newsworthy discoveries will be accompanied by sources (otherwise all photos and graphs belong to us as a group)
We welcome suggestions, corrections and educational criticism.
Let’s rock-n-roll.
Wandering and Wondering Journeys 