Rock Art Research

Modern anthropogenic patterns in aeolianites and cemented foreshore deposits  on South Africa’s Cape coast have the potential to be confused with ancient patterns of ‘sand  art’ created on dune and beach surfaces during the Middle Stone Age (ammoglyphs), and with Pleistocene fossil tracks and traces. Ancient patterns of sand art are of substantial geoheritage importance. Therefore, it is of considerable relevance to reliably distinguish modern  patterns from ancient patterns. Previous studies have approached this from the perspective  of (ancient) ammoglyphs, whereas herein, for the first time, the challenge is addressed from the perspective of modern anthropogenic patterns. Ten sites (nine certain and one equivocal)  are presented that illustrate salient features of modern anthropogenic patterns. Appreciating these attributes allows for the discussion of the essential principles that enable resulting distinctions, particularly between modern anthropogenic patterns and ancient sand art. A  cautious approach is recommended, in which only compelling evidence is used to make the relevant distinctions, and equivocal cases are acknowledged as such.