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Understanding the layout of early coastal settlement at Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 September 2017

Tom Fitton
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP, UK (Email: stephanie.wynne-jones@york.ac.uk)
Stephanie Wynne-Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of York, King's Manor, York YO1 7EP, UK (Email: stephanie.wynne-jones@york.ac.uk)
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Abstract

New investigations at the coastal settlement of Unguja Ukuu in Zanzibar have demonstrated the effectiveness of magnetometry as a survey method. The early occupation of this Swahili port, from the sixth century AD, presents a unique opportunity to develop our understanding of the growth and development in settlement and trade along the East African coast. The geophysical survey has allowed the size of this important site to be reassessed and an industrial component to be identified. It also offers an insight into the role that early Islamicisation may have played in helping to establish the settlement as a key port during the growth of the Indian Ocean trade network.

Information

Type
Research
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd, 2017 
Figure 0

Figure 1. Map of the Zanzibar archipelago, showing the islands of Unguja and Pemba, and the location of Unguja Ukuu.

Figure 1

Figure 2. Map of previous excavations and interpretations of the archaeology at Unguja Ukuu.

Figure 2

Figure 3. Map showing the areas (A–D) selected for survey. Current structures, roads, standing archaeological ruins and bulldozed areas are also shown.

Figure 3

Figure 4. Magnetometry results from the survey of area A, showing the location of anomalies, ferrous materials, thermoremanence and the placement of trench 2.

Figure 4

Figure 5. Magnetometry results from the survey of area B, showing the location of the mosque, ferrous materials, traces of ridge-and-furrow farming and the placement of trench 1.

Figure 5

Figure 6. Excavation plan of the trench spanning the eastern wall of the mosque. Contexts (005) and (007) are lines of coral debris.

Figure 6

Figure 7. Magnetometry results from the survey of areas C and D, showing the location of anomalies, iron posts, iron and copper artefacts and areas of thermoremanence.