Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Nelson Bay Cave has been excavated since the 1960s and has revealed artifacts, including stone tools, remnants of ancient fires, and animal bones that date back to the Middle Stone Age, approximately 120,000 years ago. © Plett TourismNelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Nelson Bay Cave is a notable archaeological site located within the Robberg Nature Reserve near Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape. This cave offers a fascinating glimpse into early human history and has been a significant research site for understanding prehistoric human life in Southern Africa.
Nelson Bay Cave has been excavated since the 1960s and has revealed artifacts, including stone tools, remnants of ancient fires, and animal bones that date back to the Middle Stone Age, approximately 120,000 years ago. The findings illustrate that the cave served as a seasonal shelter for early hunter-gatherer groups who relied on the area’s rich coastal resources. As archaeological studies continued, researchers unearthed layers from different periods, including the Later Stone Age, reflecting adaptations in tool use, diet, and lifestyle as humans evolved.
Artifacts from Nelson Bay Cave highlight the dynamic shifts in prehistoric culture and environment. The layers in the cave show evidence of shellfish remains, indicating that early humans utilized the coast for food, particularly during periods when terrestrial resources were scarce. Tools like microliths (small stone tools) found in later layers demonstrate advancements in toolmaking techniques. Additionally, the discovery of worked bone and ostrich eggshell beads provides insight into symbolic behavior, including early forms of adornment.
Today, visitors can access the cave via a scenic trail within Robberg Nature Reserve, which offers breathtaking coastal views and showcases the region’s biodiversity. Informational signs along the trail provide insight into the cave's history and the prehistoric inhabitants of the area, adding educational value to the visit. However, access inside the cave is typically limited to preserve the integrity of the archaeological site.
Contact Details for Robberg Nature Reserve
Managing Organization: CapeNature
Phone: +27 (0)44 533 2125
Email: see website
Website: https://www.capenature.co.za
Location: -34.10137008923208, 23.375584496008283
Verblyf Naby Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay
Gästehaus Pinkepank
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
2.3km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayOns verwelkom jou by ons gastehuis, wat moderne en hoogs toegeruste dubbelkamers het, in die beste posisie van Plettenbergbaai. Ons het gaan sit in 'n stil systraat waarin mens teen die wind beskerm word. Robberg eiland... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Cornerway House
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
3.1km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayBed en ontbyt en selfsorg akkommodasie. Daar is vyf individueel versierde slaapkamers wat almal hul eie privaat ingang het. Almal het en suite-badkamers met yskas, tee en regte koffie, TV, 'n kluis, waaiers vir die somer en verhitting... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Cape Robin Self Catering Villa Plettenberg Bay
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
3.8km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayCape Robin bied luukse selfsorgverblyf-opsies, geleë in inheemse plantegroei - insluitend fynbos - met pragtige uitsigte oor die Robberg-skiereiland, die see en die Tsitsikammaberge in die verte. Aangrensend aan die plaaslike gholf... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Earl's View
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
4km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayHierdie eksklusiewe, luukse vakansie-villa met sy asemrowende uitsig is 'n eksklusiewe selfsorgverblyf en ideaal geleë om privaatheid en gerief te bied. Ruim, lugtig met 'n oopplan woongebied wat uitlei na 'n groot, sonnige swembad. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
River Club Villa 41
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
4.2km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayThe River Club Villas is 'n gesogte kompleks in Plettenbergbaai. Hierdie goed ingerigte oopplan 3 slaapkamer almal en suite tuin eenheid is ideaal vir die gesinswegbreek. Slegs 10 minute se stap na Beacon Island-strand. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Plett Beachfront Accommodation
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
4.2km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayPlett Beachfront Accommodation bied gerieflike, smaakvol versierde en suite-selfsorg- en B&B-verblyf reg op Plettenbergbaai se Sentrale Strand, die veiligste van die dorp se swemstrande. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Ocean Watch Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
4.3km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayOcean Watch Guest House is perfek skuil teen die kusheuwel van die pragtige Plettenbergbaai, 'n ideale plek om walvis- en dolfynkyk te geniet. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Milkwood Manor on Sea
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.1km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayDirekte toegang vanaf die Manor na die strand, strandmeer en see bied gaste 'n unieke ligging en ervaring. Die meeste van die 11 en suite-slaapkamers in hierdie heerlike 4-ster-gastehuis in Georgiese styl het 'n privaat balkon en pragtige, ononderbroke... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Sunshowers Plett
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.8km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BaySunshowers Plett is 'n moderne, ruim en ontspannende selfsorgverblyf in Plettenbergbaai. Bied see-uitsigte vanaf die boonste dakwoonstel. Alle woonstelle is net 75 tree van die Keursboom Lagoon-strand af. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Thanda Vista
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.9km from Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg BayThanda Vista is intiem, eksklusief en privaat en bied 5 luukse en suite-slaapkamers. 'n Gaste-sitkamer met biblioteek, musieksentrum en lessenaar-rekenaar (met gratis Wi-Fi breëband internettoegang); 'n ontbytkamer met manjifieke uitsigte oor die... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
- Whale Rock Beach (0.58km)
- Robberg Estate (0.67km)
- Whale Rock Ridge (1.46km)
- Solar Beach (1.61km)
- Whale Rock Vlei (1.74km)
- Robberg Ridge, Plettenberg Bay (2.38km)
- Whale Rock Heights (2.53km)
- Summer Place (2.65km)
- Beacon Island Estate, Plettenberg Bay (3.56km)
- Brackenridge Private Estate (3.78km)
- Plettenberg Bay (4.64km)
- Plettenberg Bay Area (5.01km)
- Roodefontein (5.82km)
- Goose Valley Golf Estate (7.60km)
- Krantshoek (7.95km)
- Robberg Nature Reserve - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (2.16km)
- Plettenberg Bay Country Club - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (4.73km)
- Plettenberg Bay Airport - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (5.04km)
- Keurboomsriver Mouth - nr Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (5.59km)
- Goose Valley Golf Club - Plettenberg Bay (7.53km)
- Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (7.83km)
- Keurbooms River Nature Reserve - Keurboomstrand, Garden Route (10.25km)
- Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary - The Crags, Plettenberg Bay (13.64km)
- Arch Rock Private Reserve - Keurboomstrand (13.76km)
- Harkerville Trail - between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay (14.85km)
- Brackenburn Private Nature Reserve - The Crags (15.26km)
- Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary - nr Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (17.22km)
- Monkeyland and Birds of Eden - The Crags, Plettenberg Bay (17.37km)
- Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation & Awareness Centre - nr Plettenberg Bay (17.86km)
