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Date: C19 Type: Charcoal Kiln Style: Pioneer : Vernacular Status: Extant

See more photographs Various postulates concerning the origin and purpose of the corbelled structures in the vicinity of the Assegaaibos River on the farms Farmerfield, Glenfield and Springfield, Eastern Cape Province (previously Albany District) have been formulated since their discovery in 1962. The largest of these structures on the farm Glenfield suggests inter-cultural engagement in the making of the structure, the most compelling evidence being the size of the handprints left in the clayed duct around the inner perimeter, the purpose of which remains obscure. These handprints are exceptionally small, hence either those of San assistants or perhaps child help, although the degree of skill needed in its making possibly precludes the latter. The structure resembles the construction of a smaller, similarly constructed Charcoal Kiln on Voorhuis Farm and probably served the same purpose. From an article The corbelled stone structures of Glenfield Farm, Salem - some interpretations revisited by Roger C FISHER and Nicholas J CLARKE. To read the full article click here. All truncated references not fully cited below are those of Joanna Walker's original text and cited in full in the 'Bibliography' entry of the Lexicon.