All about the Fascinating Blaauboschkraal Stone Ruins

Tucked away in the quiet mountains close to the town of Waterval Boven (now known as Emgwenya) in Mpumalanga, the Blaauboschkraal Stone Ruins, which include the better known Adams Calendar stones, are a fascinating and mysterious piece of South African history that you can visit when staying at The Kingfisher Lodge. 

These ruins, often overlooked in favour of more famous archaeological sites, like the Cradle of Humankind, give those who visit it a unique glimpse into the lives and the architectural prowess of the people who once inhabited the region.

If you’re a history enthusiast, a curious traveller, or someone simply wanting the sort of adventure you can tell everyone about later, a trip to the Blaauboschkraal Stone Ruins is an experience you won’t soon forget.

The Mystery of the Blaauboschkraal Stone Ruins

The Blaauboschkraal Stone Ruins are part of a network of stone-walled structures scattered across the Mpumalanga Highlands, dating back hundreds, if not thousands, of years. 

What makes these ruins particularly fascinating is the mystery that surrounds them. 

While some historians believe that the ruins were part of ancient cattle kraals or settlements used by indigenous tribes like the Bakoni, others suggest these structures were connected to more spiritual or astronomical purposes. 

The ruins are arranged in circular patterns, and some researchers argue that their design may have been used to track celestial movements or seasons, much like a prehistoric observatory.

This enigma, coupled with the intricate way in which the stone walls have been built, and have stood the test of time, makes the Blaauboschkraal Stone Ruins an important link to understanding South Africa’s pre-colonial history. 

Unlike the grand stone cities of Great Zimbabwe, the Blaauwboschkraal site is quieter but no less significant. These ruins remind us of a time when sophisticated societies lived, worked, and thrived in what we now know as the Mpumalanga province, and visiting the ruins is treated as a bit of a spiritual experience. 

Why the Blaauwboschkraal Ruins Are Important

These ruins are more than just stones stacked together; they are a symbol of the region’s forgotten history. 

Too often, South Africa’s history is presented through a colonial lens, which overlooks the rich and complex societies that existed long before Europeans arrived on the continent. 

The Blaauboschkraal Stone Ruins challenge this narrative, by giving evidence of the advanced communities who inhabited the area and left behind a legacy of engineering, culture, and tradition.

By exploring these ancient ruins, we are given a stark reminder that there is so much more to South Africa’s story than what we learn in school. 

These ruins provide an opportunity to engage with a part of our heritage that is often underrepresented. And aside from that, they serve as a fascinating case study for anyone interested in archaeology, anthropology, or history. 

For those wanting to broaden their knowledge about pre-colonial southern Africa, a visit to these stone ruins is a must, and since the stones are just a short drive from Waterval Boven, and Kingfisher Lodge, you can easily make a day trip of it.