Ungwana — Ozi / Tana Delta Ruins
Swahili (12th–17th c. CE)·Swahili (Ozi)·🇰🇪 Tana River County, Kenya
About
About Ungwana — Ozi / Tana Delta Ruins
Ungwana — Ozi / Tana Delta Ruins in Tana River County, Kenya is a Swahili (12th–17th c. CE) ancient-city attributed to Swahili (Ozi). Delta Swahili town cluster Kipini area with mosque and pillar tombs on Tana distributaries. Kirkman: Ungwana (state of Ozi in Ibn Battuta) with 14th c. Friday mosque.
Why it mattersKey Swahili (Ozi) centre in the Tana River 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. 12th c. CE
- Period
- Swahili (12th–17th c. CE)
- Culture
- Swahili (Ozi)
- Purpose
- Delta Swahili town cluster Kipini area with mosque and pillar tombs on Tana distributaries
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 12th c. CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Reisner/Kirkman survey
On the ground
Structures & features
2.4700° S · 40.5300° E · 5 m · 3 mapped features
Ungwana — Ozi / Tana Delta Ruins — Great Mosque
mosqueFriday mosque with mihrab and pillar tomb
2.4698° S · 40.5301° EUngwana — Ozi / Tana Delta Ruins — Stone House Cluster
houseCoral rag house compound
2.4702° S · 40.5302° EUngwana — Ozi / Tana Delta Ruins — Town Enclosure
enclosureOuter enclosure or creek defence
2.4696° S · 40.5298° E