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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Record a rock art site 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119873  Record a rock art site 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Archaeology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies Traditions, History and Legacies 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 
2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners who work as field assistants on archaeological sites or as laboratory assistants in museums or universities. It may also be useful for learners in museums who do not have formal qualifications, but who assist with the monitoring of rock art sites.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining the different styles and functions of rock art in Southern Africa.
  • Identifying the likely location of rock art in Southern Africa.
  • Describing and recording a rock art site.
  • Explaining how rock art images deteriorate. 

  • LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is recommended that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    This Unit Standard is for learners working under supervision as assistants on rock art sites. Rock art includes paintings and engravings. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the different styles and functions of rock art in Southern Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Different examples of rock art are identified and categorised according to style and content. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The content of different rock paintings or engravings is analysed in terms of what each indicates about the belief systems of the artists and the age of the art. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The methods used to make paintings and engravings are identified with reference to different techniques and tools. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods include, but are not limited to, scraped, pecked, fine outline, monochrome, bichrome, polychrome and finger paintings.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Ingredients used for making paint and methods of application are described with reference to durability. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Identify the likely location of rock art in Southern Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The major concentrations of rock paintings and engravings in Southern Africa are indicated on a map. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Landscape features usually associated with rock art sites are identified and compared for paintings and engravings. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The significance of the placement of rock art in a site is explained with examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Location includes, but is not limited to, proximity to cracks, proximity to other images and natural features.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe and record a rock art site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    A rock art recording sheet is used to describe a site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Methods for recording art at a site are explained with reference to when each is appropriate. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Methods are tracing, photographing, sketching and rubbing.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    A panel of images is recorded using appropriate methods. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The risks associated with recording are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Tools and equipment commonly used for recording rock art are identified and an indication is given of when each is appropriate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The concept of superpositioning is explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain how rock art images deteriorate. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Natural weathering processes that cause rock art to deteriorate or alter are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Deliberate damage to rock art is identified and suggestions are made as to why someone damaged the art. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Accidental damage to rock art is identified in terms of human and animal activities. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The practice of condition reporting is explained and a condition report is compiled at a rock art site. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Possible ways of limiting damage to rock art are described for a specific public site visited by tourists. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

  • UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner can work effectively with others as a member of a team in recording a rock art site. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, evaluate and organise information in compiling a condition report and recording a rock art site. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    The learner can see the world as a set of related systems by explaining accidental damage to rock art and describing ways to limit damage on a site. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Search words:
  • Rock art; archaeology; San; Bushmen, heritage. 

  • QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  57712   Further Education and Training Certificate: Generic Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered" 
    2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 



    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.