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Taung Heritage Site
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The famous Taung Heritage Site is the archaeological site where the fossilized skull of a young child was discovered by miners in 1924. The skull was taken to the noted Australian archaeologist, Dr Raymond Dart who named it 'Australopithecus Africanus', meaning the southern ape of Africa.
This discovery led many scientists to believe that the origin of early man was initiated on the African continent.
The finding of the Taung skull at the Buxton quarry in the North West Province, was noted to be one of the most significant archaeological accomplishments of time. Due to this discovery, the Taung site was proclaimed UNESCO World Heritage site.
Taung, meaning 'the place of the lion' was named after Tau, the chief of the Bataung people. Today this town is home to the famous Taung skull. A monument to the discovery of the Taung skull has been set up and an old mine tunnel has been opened for exploration. The Buxton quarry, which is no longer being mined, remains an important scientific research site.
The azure Blue Pools are situated at the Buxton quarry and are surrounded by picturesque caves and streams. The pools were apparently discovered after a dynamite explosion in a mountain in which lime was being mined. This is a popular hiking, abseiling and picnic venue with barbecue facilities set alongside this pristine spring winding through the ancient limestone valley.
Besides for the archaeological significant sites, the Taung Heritage site and the village of Taung present numerous alternative spots that regularly attract tourists. The Taung Dam is an attractive picnic area situated a short distance from the village. On the outskirts of the village is the Mmabana Arts and Culture Centre. This Centre is a modern social and educational centre offering locally produced arts and crafts.
Dinkwaneng is located a short distance from the town near the village of Manthestas and hosts some fine examples of San art.
Location
Taung is situated about 48km from Vryburg on the R49 to Warrenton. The Taung Heritage Site and the Blue Pools are located to the West of the village of Taung at the Buxton Quarry.
At the Taung crossroad, turn to the west for 4km then left to Pampierstad for 6,5km then right for 3,8km to the Buxton quarry. Indicator boards will lead you to the gates.
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Comments |
| I was born and brewed in Taung (Manthe-Stad). And I have few things that I need to know. 1. Most of the people they keep on asking me why our place is named after Taung. 2, We know that Taung is one of the heritage side about its skull, but nothing is being done to be put on place. As a heritage side, always is Maropeng, Sterkfontein and other's; not Taung. 3. During festive season I ussually visit the dam, the road to the dam is (gravel road) bad (from manthe-Stad and Cokonyane to the Dam). 4. Can one tell the history of Taung. 5,.Our young brother's and sister's need to know much about their place/area rather than other place's.
Posted by: Patrick Vasco Sereo |
Dumelang ba gaetsho nna ke motlhaping wa ga maidi nna kopo ya me hela ke kopa yoo aka nkwalelang maboko aba tlhaping.
Posted by: kesekile Sekurwane |
Bagaetsho, ke tlhoka kitso ka Batlhaping baga Maidi, phuduhudu a kgatsele. well that is what my father tells me and he does not know much regarding the matter. Ke tlhompha setso mo go maswe and I think my father was wrong not to follow up ka setso sa gage ge a gola!! ntshware mo blanty@live.com
Posted by: Mothusi Maomela |
I agree with you Lebogang Eric Pebe, not only because you my neighbour but because what you are saying is the truth as far as I know. From Randstad.
Posted by: Olga Gaserutwe |
Your comments are not helping at all about the history of Bataung. I would advice you to read the following books "Nale le Mmole wa Bataung", my uncle Mr Masenkane (Motaung wa Hlalele)a former inspector in Phutaditjhaba contributed immensely in the writing of this book. The other book that will help you is called "Histori ya Basotho." I don't know where you can find these books around SA but you'll definitely find in Maseru Lesotho.
Posted by: J.S. Thulo (Motaung wa Moletsane) |
| What a shame that people are saying there was no Kgosi Tau. Kgosi Tau was a Barolong king not a Bataung king, the Bataung were a Basotho and were known as Bataung ba ga Moletsane. Kgosi Tau was killed by a joint Korana-Tlhaping army near the Harts River in about 1760. I do not know if Taung was named after him and will not entertain that thought. Kgosi Tau's father was Kgosi Thibela. Kgosi Tau's sons were Ratlout, Tshidi, Seleka and Rapulana (amongst others) it was frm these four sons that we have the Barolong boo Ratlou (who stay in Khunwana), Barolong boora Tshidi (Mahikeng), Barolong boo Seleka (Thaba Nchu) and Barolong boo Rapulana (around Lichtenburg). The Batlhaping ba ga Phuduhutswana and ba ga Maidi were originally Barolong but they broke away to from their own kingdoms.
Posted by: Thapelo Montshioa |
Well, as someone who was born in Taung, it brings joy to me to know that where the skull was found has been "proclaimed UNESCO World Heritage site." Logically, what was supposed to follow after that proclamation? Is there anything which can be told presently about the developments? Is there any hope that one people of Taung will have some glance of this historical reality?
Posted by: Kabelo Mahemo |
It angers me when people start bluberring about things they know zilch about.. Ga gona kgosi tau ko taung or bataung for that matter. We are the Batlhaping and Barolong and it ends there.. Research is fundamental before writing idiotic statements regarding our roots and whereabouts..
Posted by: Eric Lebogang Pebe |
Bataung clan are from Lehurutse. Originally they are a mixture of Khoisan and Tswana and they really never settled in Taung.
Posted by: Tau |
| I read somewhere in the historical documents where they say Batlhalping were part of Barolong and the ruling chief by then was Tau who had a bother called Tawana they later fought and Tawana broke away with his supporters without any livestock and settled along one of the rivers (Orange/Harts/?) eating fish thus the Batlhaping name was found. As forTtaung the village, I cannot tell but I believe is from those references. Lets find out Batlhaping.
Pula Nala
Posted by: Kelemogile Moseki |
I'd like to come to Taung this festive season, but it is kinda hard to find any affordable accommodation off the internet. Please help, email info to : s25461398@tuks.co.za and/or tsekem@dlsys.co.za
Posted by: t.s |
There is no such thing as Bataung or Kgosi tau for that matter..we have three Kgosi's in Taung: namely Kgosi Mankuroane, Kgosi Motlhabane and Kgosi Mothibi. Whoever came up with this Bataung was not sober at the time of doing research. Proudly Taung.
Posted by: Lebogang Eric Pebe |
How can a researcher or someone we believe to be one, writes this about our place? Just because the place is Taung does not mean our chief was Tau and we of Bataung clan. I also asked around about this so-called chief of ours and no one knows about him.
Posted by: David Sedumoeng |
There are confusion about who the proclaimed chief was. The name Taung came from the events that took place in the area, not from the chief. We are the Batlhaping people situated in Taung. All our chiefs are of Batlhaping tribe and our roots are with the fishes not lions. The sooner all this myths end the better.
Posted by: gontse sekunkwe |
As far as a know there was never Ba Taung or Kgosi Tau from this place Taung. Please who ever did the reaserch must just go back to the drawing board and the it again. Yes the first people to stay there is Batswana from Namibia. These people manage to kill a lion from the place now called Lokaleng. It was said that the place is Taung Lokaleng because there was many pine trees there and since the lion was killed under this trees. This place is for Batlhaping and that is why you find that all the chiefs are Batlhaping.
Posted by: O.R( MBINI) SENWEDI |
I was born in Taung, and my grandmother was born there also. I have asked her about Kgosi Tau, but she does not remember someone like Kgosi Tau. Ok, dont miss understand me? I dont under-estimate your knowledge about Kgosi Tau, but what I want to know who is the father of Kgosi Tau, and where he was born? My granny was born on 1918 Februry but she does not remember someone by that name.
Posted by: A. T. BABE |
I have problems with the falacies about Kgosi Tau of the BaTaung. There is no such a thing as BaTaung amongst Batswana. Various historical accounts confirms that the area north of the confluence of the Vaal and the Orange rivers where inhabited by the Batlhaping. Please get your facts right by doing proper research.
Posted by: Kgosietsile Gaonnwe |
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