Brandberg Mountain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The giant granite monolith located in Damaraland and called 'The Brandberg' is Namibia's highest mountain. Standing at 2573m above sea level and located on the flat Namib gravel plains, on a clear day 'The Brandberg' can be seen from a great distance.
The geology of the area is typical of Damaraland, which is littered with beautifully eroded mountains, hills and koppies, (small hills), which are made up of granite boulders. These piles of granite are ancient magma chambers, formed billions of years ago when under ground volcanic activity was common in southern Africa. Over the millennia, these massive deposits of magma cooled and have been exposed, as we see them today, by the forces of erosion. One basic ingredient found in granite is the mineral feldspar. Feldspar is often a pinkish colour and Damaraland is blessed with mountains and koppies of a most spectacular red / pink colour that during sunrise and sunset can sometimes take on an almost blood red colour. 'The Brandberg' is a perfect example of this and is one of the reasons why Damaraland is the main contender for the "most beautiful region in Namibia".
'The Brandberg' is famous for more than being a beautiful area. Regarded as a spiritual site of significance by the ancient Bushman tribes, the biggest claim to fame that 'The Brandberg' can boast is The White Lady rock painting, located on a panel, also depicting other art work, on a small rock overhang, deep within the mountain.
Archaeologists have long argued over the origins of the painting. It was discovered by Europeans in 1918. The man responsible was Reinard Maack, a surveyor and the headmaster of Windhoek school. Maack was at the time convinced that the panel had distinct European style and this view was up-held by various prominent archaeologists of the day. The White Lady has been controversially dated at about 20,000 years old. The discovery in Southern Africa of an ancient rock painting, supposedly of European (or as was more specifically speculated, Mediterranean origin), and of this age meant that the whole theory of the "cradle of civilization" being in east or central Africa was thrown into chaos. The debate raged on for many years, however subsequent modern archaeologists have decided that the original theories were incorrect and have attributed the art to the indigenous peoples of Southern Africa, the Bushmen. These modern archaeologists have gone further to say that because of the absence of breasts and the presence of a bow and arrow, the figure is now thought to represent a young male priest or Witch Doctor who is wearing body paint which is thought to have been commonly used by such persons in ancient times.
To reach The White Lady it is necessary to hike for about 40 minutes over rough terrain, along the ancient watercourses contained within the mountain.
The Brandberg is also home to some stunning desert flora. Damaraland is well known for its weird looking aloes and euphoria's and the region around the mountain is no exception to the rest of Damaraland. The area has many plants and trees that look like they have been imported from outer space, their appearance being further "enhanced" by the cruel climate they are forced to live in.
Although the Brandberg area is largely inhospitable, it is also home to a large diversity of wildlife. The numbers of animals are small because the climate cannot support large populations, however most of the desert species that are found in Namibia are present and lucky visitors to the area might catch sight of a desert dwelling elephant or a rare black rhino.
