Imagine stepping back in time at Melville Koppies. It is a Johannesburg City Heritage Site. It’s also a Nature Reserve. This special place is the last conserved remnant of Johannesburg’s ridges. They existed before the discovery of gold in 1886.
Melville Koppies’ story stretches back three billion years. Early Stone Age people camped here. That was around 500 000 years ago. Later, Iron Age immigrants arrived. You can still see remains of their kraal walls. They are on the northern slopes.
In 1963, an iron-smelting furnace was discovered. It offers a peek into the past. Melville Koppies Central is the oldest part of the nature reserve. It became a protected area in 1959.
Archaeologist Revil Mason found Middle Stone Age tools here. He also excavated the Iron Age smelting furnace. The furnace was used between 1060AD and 1580AD. Another Iron Age furnace dates back to the 18th or 19th centuries.
You can explore remains of stone-walled kraals. They follow a “Central Cattle Pattern.” This pattern represents Iron Age culture. Bantu-speaking people brought it to South Africa over 1 000 years ago. They displaced the San or Bushmen. The Late Stone Age living floor shows tiny tools. Hunter-gatherers used them long ago.
Melville Koppies boasts diverse micro-environments. The northern slopes have deep soil. Climax grassland thrives here. Rocky crests have thin soil. They host varied grasses like Russet grass. Wild Apricot and Transvaal Milkplum flourish here.
The north-western part is densely forested. Ancient greenstone enriches the soil. Brack Thorn Acacia and Blue Gwarrie dominate. Southern slopes face harsh frosts. Protea caffra survives in acidic soil.
The Westdene Spruit flows along the boundary. Huge White Stinkwood trees grow here. There are also River Bushwillows and Wild Olive trees. Gabbro rock outcrops in the stream bed. This rock is part of a two-billion-year-old intrusion. The stream joins others to become tributaries of the Limpopo.
Melville Koppies Central has controlled access. It is open for hikes on Sundays. You can enjoy a 5km scenic trail. Maps are provided. Discover the self-guided Heritage Trail. It reveals nature and history. Guided tours are available. They start at the reception hut in Judith Road.
Melville Koppies offers a unique glimpse into history. It also showcases Johannesburg’s natural beauty. It’s a place where you can connect with the past. It is a place that existed long before the city.