WW1 weapons unearthed at Tsumeb
More still buried
A huge cache of what is suspected to be weapons and other artifacts from World War I was unearthed during a Telecom Namibia upgrade and maintenance project in Tsumeb.
A historical treasure trove, comprising of over a thousand suspected World War 1 weapons and other old artifacts, was unearthed during a Telecom Namibia upgrade and maintenance project in Tsumeb last Thursday.
According to sources, workers dug out one rifle, and then contacted the police. When the police came, digging continued, revealing more weapons.
“It’s hard to believe that this historical treasure was right under our feet,” a source told Namibia Media Holdings.
Kobie Oosthuizen from the Tsumeb neighbourhood watch said they grouped the weapons in bundles, and a count estimate totalled about 1 300.
“The majority of the stuff is still buried under the tar road,” he said, adding that attempts to lift the road to recover the treasure were apparently stopped by the municipality.
In the meantime, the police have taken the discovered items to a police station.
Huge discovery
Those in the know suspect the items hail from the time German troops pulled out from Namibia during the first World War, when they dumped weapons - including canons - into the Oshikoto Lake, while possibly burying the rest.
Porcelain crockery, “lovely” bottles and an officer’s sword were also among the items.
It is suspected that there could be canons too as two straps used to tie canons to wagons were also discovered.
“It’s a huge discovery, and the greatest part is still under the road. One can see into the holes where the things are buried,” Oosthuizen said.
Sadly, a tractor used for the excavation work has apparently damaged items.
The right people are required to do professional excavation work to ensure the historical value of the items is preserved, he said, adding that the Tsumeb Museum houses a canon and items discovered in the lake.
“There will be more things down there that one has never seen.”
According to sources, workers dug out one rifle, and then contacted the police. When the police came, digging continued, revealing more weapons.
“It’s hard to believe that this historical treasure was right under our feet,” a source told Namibia Media Holdings.
Kobie Oosthuizen from the Tsumeb neighbourhood watch said they grouped the weapons in bundles, and a count estimate totalled about 1 300.
“The majority of the stuff is still buried under the tar road,” he said, adding that attempts to lift the road to recover the treasure were apparently stopped by the municipality.
In the meantime, the police have taken the discovered items to a police station.
Huge discovery
Those in the know suspect the items hail from the time German troops pulled out from Namibia during the first World War, when they dumped weapons - including canons - into the Oshikoto Lake, while possibly burying the rest.
Porcelain crockery, “lovely” bottles and an officer’s sword were also among the items.
It is suspected that there could be canons too as two straps used to tie canons to wagons were also discovered.
“It’s a huge discovery, and the greatest part is still under the road. One can see into the holes where the things are buried,” Oosthuizen said.
Sadly, a tractor used for the excavation work has apparently damaged items.
The right people are required to do professional excavation work to ensure the historical value of the items is preserved, he said, adding that the Tsumeb Museum houses a canon and items discovered in the lake.
“There will be more things down there that one has never seen.”
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