Grave of Thandi?
The archaeologists from the University of Pretoria visited the farm on three occasions to dig at three different sites. Due to funding constraints at the University, the team could not do as much excavations as they wanted.
The first diggings unearthed many artifacts from Arabic, Chinese and Indian origin.
One of the graves which was opened reveal a complete skeleton which was dated to be around 900 years old. The skeleton was found to be a female and she was around 38 years old at the time of her demise. Two or three complete/unbroken pots were found next to the skeleton, and the content was initially kept secret by the team – no revelation has been made in the meantime.
Her grave was made up of a fine material amongst the rocks and her remains were exceptionally well-preserved up to even her phalanxes. Many beads were found around her neck and on her arms.
The grave was well documented and photographed and huge surprise was expressed how well the body remained mummified and preserved over all these years. Her stature was small and Elmer estimated her length to be at around 1,2 metres, a typical Modjadji figure (is this then Thandi’s grave?). It just reinforces the speculation that the Modjadji people did live in the area and that the whole rain-making process was followed. [“Klein Bolayi” means “small people making magic”.]