Gonja Maore Swahili Ruins — Tanga
Swahili (13th–16th c. CE)·Swahili (Shirazi)·🇹🇿 Tanga Region, Tanzania
About
About Gonja Maore Swahili Ruins — Tanga
Gonja Maore Swahili Ruins — Tanga in Tanga Region, Tanzania is a Swahili (13th–16th c. CE) ancient-city attributed to Swahili (Shirazi). Coastal Swahili site on bluff above Tanga Bay with mosque and tombs. Horton: small Swahili site with 14th c. mosque mihrab and Songo-like tombs.
Why it mattersKey Swahili (Shirazi) centre in the Tanga Region
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. 13th c. CE
- Period
- Swahili (13th–16th c. CE)
- Culture
- Swahili (Shirazi)
- Purpose
- Coastal Swahili site on bluff above Tanga Bay with mosque and tombs
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 13th c. CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Reisner/Kirkman survey
On the ground
Structures & features
5.0700° S · 39.1100° E · 10 m · 3 mapped features
Gonja Maore Swahili Ruins — Tanga — Great Mosque
mosqueFriday mosque with mihrab and pillar tomb
5.0698° S · 39.1101° EGonja Maore Swahili Ruins — Tanga — Stone House Cluster
houseCoral rag house compound
5.0702° S · 39.1102° EGonja Maore Swahili Ruins — Tanga — Town Enclosure
enclosureOuter enclosure or creek defence
5.0696° S · 39.1098° E