Monamalala — Tana Delta Mound (Gelegole remnant?)
Swahili–Pokomo (10th–16th c. CE)·Pokomo–Swahili·🇰🇪 Tana River County, Kenya
About
About Monamalala — Tana Delta Mound (Gelegole remnant?)
Monamalala — Tana Delta Mound (Gelegole remnant?) in Tana River County, Kenya is a Swahili–Pokomo (10th–16th c. CE) earthwork attributed to Pokomo–Swahili. Earthen settlement mound 5 m high on Tana levee with Tana ware pottery. Tana Delta earthen mounds with Pokomo–Swahili ceramics and iron slag.
Why it mattersImportant Pokomo–Swahili site of coastal/hinterland Tana River County
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Trade network evidence
- 02Construction chronology
Theories
- 01Long-distance exchange
- 02Kayas sacred landscape
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. 10th c. CE
- Period
- Swahili–Pokomo (10th–16th c. CE)
- Culture
- Pokomo–Swahili
- Purpose
- Earthen settlement mound 5 m high on Tana levee with Tana ware pottery
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 10th c. CE
Initial construction
c. 1920 CE
Antiquarian survey
On the ground
Structures & features
2.4200° S · 40.4000° E · 5 m · 4 mapped features
Monamalala — Tana Delta Mound (Gelegole remnant?) — Rock Shelter Panel
panelPainted shelter wall
2.4198° S · 40.4001° EMonamalala — Tana Delta Mound (Gelegole remnant?) — Smelting Furnace
furnaceIron furnace remains
2.4202° S · 40.4002° EMonamalala — Tana Delta Mound (Gelegole remnant?) — Mound Edge
edgeMound erosion edge
2.4195° S · 40.3998° EMonamalala — Tana Delta Mound (Gelegole remnant?) — Water Source
waterSpring or reservoir
2.4204° S · 40.3999° E