Robben Island human bones survey

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL survey for human remains will be conducted on Robben Island after bones belonging to multiple people were discovered at the Maximum Security Prison precinct.

The exposed remains were discovered last year next to the Kramat, Robben Island spokesperson Nadia Nel said.

A formal investigation was conducted by specialist bodies including the SAPS Forensic Pathology Unit and officials from Heritage Western Cape on February 28, last year.

“The preliminary assessment found that human remains belonged to multiple individuals, or at least two human beings as there were three femoral bones discovered on the scene.

“Other bones found within the vicinity included vertebrae, carpals, patellas and other bone fragments,” Nel said.

Preliminary inspection of the bones by specialists suggest that they were buried more than 50 years ago.

“Judging from the shallowness of the graves (10cm) it is suspected that the site was most likely levelled during construction of the prison in the early 1960s.

“Ex-political prisoners have recorded the discovery of human bones during extension of buildings of the Maximum Security Prison.

“The forensics specialist then concluded that this was an archaeological site,” Nel said.

“Robben Island Museum has a multi-layered history that dates back as far as the 1400s.

“Essentially, what this means is that there are undocumented and documented human remains on the Island cross-cutting across these different historical layers.

“Hence the need to conduct an archaeological survey on the Island to establish whether there are more exposed/at risk human remains,” Nel said.

In line with the Robben Island Integrated Conservation Management Plan (1918-2023) which calls for continuous research of the Island’s cultural and natural heritage, an archaeological survey is imperative in determining the origins of the human remains, Nel said.

This will further contribute in fulfilling the sites mandate as a heritage site, which is to conserve natural and cultural heritage and disseminate knowledge about the island’s rich history, she said.