Overview

Large-scale networks of interaction and exchange have existed on the East African Swahili coast for at least the past two millennia, linking coastal populations with South Asia, the Middle East and the African Interior. The connections coastal inhabitants nurtured along those networks were crucial to the development of Swahili urban society in the early second millennium CE. The archaeological project detailed in this book explores the functioning of Swahili networks by examining their influence in the region around the town of Mikindani in southern Tanzania through a thorough programme of survey and excavations. The Mikindani project is the first of its kind in Tanzania south of Kilwa, and provides an opportunity to investigate Swahili life away from major centres in more modest towns and villages. In so doing, it reveals historical trajectories for coastal communities that rely more heavily on interior than Indian Ocean connections, emphasizing coastal variability, identifying additional paths to socioeconomic success and recognizing that elements thought 'characteristic' of Swahili culture - including participation in trade - were part of social and economic strategies that were adopted, or not, to suit regional circumstances.

Full Product Details

Author:   Matthew Pawlowicz
Publisher:   BAR Publishing
Imprint:   BAR Publishing
Weight:   0.782kg
ISBN:  

9781407314860

ISBN 10:   1407314866
Pages:   196
Publication Date:   31 May 2017
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

List of Figures List of Tables 1. Mikindani and the Swahili Coast Mikindani, a Town on the Southern Tanzanian Coast The East African Swahili Coast Geographical and Cultural Background History of Archaeological and Historical Research Regional Differentiation along the Swahili Coast Research Questions and Broader Themes Mikindani and Swahili Networks Organization of Work 2. Understanding the Mikindani Region Mikindani's Geographic Context Mikindani's Historical Context Historical Records of Mikindani Archaeological Work around Mikindani Bay Persistent Questions 3. Archaeological Methodologies of the Project Defining a Study Region Phase I: Excavations at Mikindani Phase II: Archaeological Survey Phase III: Selective Excavations at Recovered Sites Excavations from Phase I and Phase III Phase I Phase III 4. Environment and the Historical Ecology of Mikindani Regional Environmental Overview Climate and the Indian Ocean Monsoon Geology and Soil Chemistry Vegetation and Local Fauna Correlations with Microenvironments Human Interaction with the Mikindani Environment Historical Evidence for the Indian Ocean Transfer of Plant Foods Archaeobotanical Evidence Faunal Evidence Human Impact on Soil Chemistry Overview of Mikindani's Historical Ecology Implications of Grain Macrobotanicals Implications of Results Regarding Forest Resources Implications of Faunal Remains Implications of Phytolith and Soil Chemistry Results Orientations to the Environment 5. Local Ceramics from the Mikindani Region Methodology of Ceramic Analysis Results of Quantitative Analysis Overview of the Assemblages Results Sorted by Site Results Sorted by Period Local Ceramic Typology First Millennium Types Early Second Millennium Types Late Second Millennium Types Discussion of Typology Connections to Other Eastern African Assemblages Comparisons Based on Attributes Comparisons Based on Types Results Sorted by Microenvironment Refined Ceramic Periodisation of Mikindani Region Implications of the Typology and Ceramic Analyses 6. Imported Goods and Interregional Trade at Mikindani Imported Goods Commonly Found on the Swahili Coast Ceramics Beads Glass Vessels Other Common Imports Imported Goods Found in the Mikindani Region Ceramics Beads Glass Artefacts Other Artefacts Comparison of the Mikindani Region with Other Coastal Regions Implications of Mikindani Region Imports Nature of Interregional Trade Relationship with Kilwa Connection with the Middle East 7. Production Activities and Small Finds Iron Artefacts and Iron Production Iron Artefacts Slag Tuyeres Implications Other Artefacts from Production Activities Spindle Whorls Pottery-Making Artefacts Bead-Making Artefacts Building Material Coral Daub Features Stone and Bone Artefacts Flaked Tools Bone Tools Grindstones Net Weights 8. Spatial Analysis of the Mikindani Region Results of the Survey Survey Results by Time Period Survey Results by Microenvironment Characterising Settlement in the Mikindani Region Survey Unit STP Data Revised Predictions Information Gleaned from Excavations Overview of Settlement Characterisation Locational Models and Settlement Patterns in the Mikindani Region Site Distribution in the Mikindani Region Rank-Size Rule Site Catchment Analysis Landscape Archaeology and Cultural Significance of Space Functional Analysis of Shifting Settlement Patterns in the Mikindani Region 9. Conclusion: Mikindani in the Swahili World Occupation Periods: Building an Archaeological Narrative for the Mikindani Region Period One (at least 200 BCE-300 CE) Period Two (ca. 300-550 CE) Period Three (550-900 CE) Period Four (900-1100 CE) Period Five (1100-1500 CE) Period Six (1500-1800 CE) Period Seven (1800-present) Deviations and Continuities: The Mikindani Region and Swahili Meta-Narratives Summary Lessons for the Functioning of the Swahili Coast Networks Implications for the Archaeological Study of Large-Scale Systems Summation and Future Directions for Research Bibliography Appendix A: Sites Recovered During Phase II Survey  

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Author Information

Matthew Pawlowicz has been involved in African Archaeology since 2003. He received his PhD in 2011 from the University of Virginia and currently teaches at Virginia Commonwealth University in the United States.

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