The Application of the Harris Matrix to San Rock Art at Main Caves North, Kwazulu-Natal

The layers of superimposition of San rock paintings at Main Caves North, Giant's Castle Game Reserve were analysed using the Harris matrix to illustrate the sequence of painted 'styles'. The results of the analysis at Main Caves North are described and compared with the Four Phase sequence proposed by Vinnicombe and the Seven Style sequence proposed by Pager in the 1970s. As techniques to establish absolute dates for rock paintings become more common-place, there is a concomitant need to understand their relative chronology and this study demonstrates that Harris matrix offers a useful way of doing this.