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Digging Deep Uncovering Underwater Handaxes In Table Bay

Iziko Museums of Cape Town

Official source

Source domain: iziko.org.za

Collected on 13 July 2026

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What this means

This document is a webpage-style extract from Iziko Museums of South Africa describing the exhibition “Digging Deep – uncovering underwater handaxes in Table Bay.” It explains that underwater archaeologists investigated Dutch East India Company (VOC) shipwrecks (Oosterland and Waddinxveen) in February 1995 and discovered ancient handaxes about 10 metres underwater, including details on their age, materials, and likely use. The extract also includes various visitor notices (museum closures/opening times and holiday closures) and media contact details for the exhibition.

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Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

museum exhibitionOngoing

Digging Deep – uncovering underwater handaxes in Table Bay

Visitors can attend a current exhibition at the Iziko South African Museum showcasing prehistoric stone tools discovered underwater in Table Bay.

Who it is for
Museum visitors and people interested in archaeology and prehistoric artefacts
How to act on it
Visit the Iziko South African Museum to view the exhibition.
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Status: Now Showing Exhibition Type: Current Exhibition Museum: South African Museum
newsletter subscriptionOngoing

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People can sign up to receive updates about Iziko's latest events and exhibitions.

Who it is for
People who want updates about Iziko's latest events and exhibitions
How to act on it
Complete the sign-up form and leave the field empty if you are human.
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Sign up to get updates about our latest events & exhibitions Leave this field empty if you're human:

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What matters before you act: the conditions this listing sets, as Govermate read them.

Digging Deep – uncovering underwater handaxes in Table Bay

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Where: Visitors can take it up at the Iziko South African Museum · Iziko South African Museum

Sign up to get updates about our latest events & exhibitions

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Key Takeaways

  • Exhibition title: “Digging Deep – uncovering underwater handaxes in Table Bay”
  • Partner: African Institute for Marine and Underwater Research, Exploration and Education (AIMURE)
  • Underwater excavation date: February 1995
  • VOC shipwrecks investigated: Oosterland and Waddinxveen
  • Discovery depth: ten metres below the surface
  • Handaxes held in place for hundreds of thousands of years; oldest underwater discovery at the time
  • Handaxes made from Table Mountain sandstone; estimated age range: 1.7 million to 300 000 years ago
  • Handaxes presented to Iziko Museums for preservation and care; to form part of Iziko Archaeology collection
  • Status: Now Showing; Museum: South African Museum
  • Media enquiries contact: Zikhona Jafta (+27(0)21 481 3838; mediaofficer@iziko.org.za)
  • Iziko Museums of South Africa
  • Iziko South African Museum
  • African Institute for Marine and Underwater Research, Exploration and Education (AIMURE)
  • Dr Bruno Werz
  • Christopher Byrnes
  • Michael Barchard
  • Dutch East India Company (VOC)
  • Oosterland
  • Waddinxveen
  • Zikhona Jafta