Verified3.6400° S · 39.8500° E · 10 m
Mnarani Ruins — Kilifi Creek
Swahili (13th–17th c. CE)·Swahili (Shirazi)·🇰🇪 Kilifi County, Kenya
About
About Mnarani Ruins — Kilifi Creek
Mnarani Ruins — Kilifi Creek in Kilifi County, Kenya is a Swahili (13th–17th c. CE) ancient-city attributed to Swahili (Shirazi). Swahili stone town 3 ha on cliff above Kilifi creek with mosque and tombs. Mnarani on north creek with 14th c. mosque with 195 inscription, southern gate with pillar tombs.
Why it mattersKey Swahili (Shirazi) centre in the Kilifi 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. 13th c. CE
- Period
- Swahili (13th–17th c. CE)
- Culture
- Swahili (Shirazi)
- Purpose
- Swahili stone town 3 ha on cliff above Kilifi creek with mosque and tombs
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 13th c. CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Reisner/Kirkman survey
On the ground
Structures & features
3.6400° S · 39.8500° E · 10 m · 3 mapped features
- Mnarani Ruins — Kilifi Creek — Great MosquemosqueFriday mosque with mihrab and pillar tomb3.6398° S · 39.8501° E
- Mnarani Ruins — Kilifi Creek — Stone House ClusterhouseCoral rag house compound3.6402° S · 39.8502° E
- Mnarani Ruins — Kilifi Creek — Town EnclosureenclosureOuter enclosure or creek defence3.6396° S · 39.8498° E
Gallery