Verified2.3500° S · 40.7000° E · 5 m
Dondo Ruins — Lamu Mainland
Swahili (14th–18th c. CE)·Swahili·🇰🇪 Lamu County, Kenya
About
About Dondo Ruins — Lamu Mainland
Dondo Ruins — Lamu Mainland in Lamu County, Kenya is a Swahili (14th–18th c. CE) ancient-city attributed to Swahili. Mainland Swahili ruins opposite Manda Bay with walled town and Friday mosque. Dondo Lamu mainland with 14th c. Friday mosque and house compounds.
Why it mattersKey Swahili centre in the Lamu County
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronological seriation
- 02Trade network evidence
Theories
- 01Long-distance Indian Ocean trade
- 02Kushite royal succession
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 14th c. CE
- Period
- Swahili (14th–18th c. CE)
- Culture
- Swahili
- Purpose
- Mainland Swahili ruins opposite Manda Bay with walled town and Friday mosque
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 14th c. CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Reisner/Kirkman survey
On the ground
Structures & features
2.3500° S · 40.7000° E · 5 m · 3 mapped features
Dondo Ruins — Lamu Mainland — Great Mosque
mosqueFriday mosque with mihrab and pillar tomb
2.3498° S · 40.7001° EDondo Ruins — Lamu Mainland — Stone House Cluster
houseCoral rag house compound
2.3502° S · 40.7002° EDondo Ruins — Lamu Mainland — Town Enclosure
enclosureOuter enclosure or creek defence
2.3496° S · 40.6998° E