Access to the engravings and painting has recently been
improved by the building of steps up the rock face and the addition
of raised steel viewing platforms. It's now much easier to get good
photographs if the sun glare off the rock faces is not too bright.
Timing is important if you want good photographs. In the morning
many of the engravings are in shadow, but good and detailed photos
can be taken. In the afternoon the sun reflects from some of the
engravings and contrasts are difficult.
Mid-day temperatures in the Twyfelfontein area, especially in summer months can be quiet
uncomfortable. Wear sun-block and carry some water with you. It's a
thirsty tour.
On your tour you should take notice of some of the
impressive rock formations that have been formed by wind erosion and
temperature weathering. The below right photo shows
that over thousands of years the surface wind blown sands have eroded away the base
giving it the name ' The Mushroom '.
Some of the shapes challenge the
mind as to how many years, and how many tons of wind blown sand were
involved in the natural etching of the wave rock and some of the other
larger formations at Twyfelfontein.
There are places where you can see
how the desert winds have blasted holes through the sandstone
blocks. On others deep grooves
have been cut along the sides of the blocks. Further erosion of this
nature has caused them to break away from the cliff face and tumble
down. Their flat, smooth surfaces providing an ideal workface for
the ancient Bushmen artists.
Acknowledgements and further reading: GV1, GV4, H12, R6, R7, P1,
W12
Twfelfontein 2 - The
Engravings
