Afsluit Manor

Written by Louis J Grobler
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Maretha Barnard wrote me a letter the other day about her grandparents whom she visited as a little girl in the 1950's in their home at Verkykerskop, which she recognized on our website as Afsluit Gastehuis. Maretha's letter is attached to this page, as well as a beautiful photograph of her grandparent, Jacobus and Anna Barnard. It is not clear when the Barnards first occupied Afsluit and whether they were the first owners, but they lived in the same house until 1990.

General Archaeological Introduction

Written by Cobus J Dreyer
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The archaeological landscape of the Free State is characterised by a wide distribution of stone-walled sites. These prehistoric structures on the ridges have generated interest over the years and the dome-shaped stone huts in particular, have captured the imagination of the people.


Studies on the history and ways of living of the early inhabitants of the region have revealed detail and consistency in the arrangement and design of the structures (Maggs 1976). The expression of culture in the recognised settlement patterns has left its imprint on the environment, illustrating people’s perceptions about social clustering, economic systems and political organisation. These patterns are indicated by the arrangement of huts, stock kraals and ash heaps in a particular order and in relation to one another.

Recent History

Written by Louis J Grobler
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The farm Aansluit on which the village was  established, is where five roads from all directions come together. After the Boer war this logical point of co-location soon developed not only  as commercial centre, but was the heart of community life where Nagmaal was served once a month. The first dwelling on the farm was a “hartbeeshuisie” of over 120 years still standing on the farm today, now used as camping site.