Jumba la Mtwana — Mtwapa Creek
Swahili (14th–15th c. CE)·Swahili·🇰🇪 Kilifi County, Kenya
About
About Jumba la Mtwana — Mtwapa Creek
Jumba la Mtwana — Mtwapa Creek in Kilifi County, Kenya is a Swahili (14th–15th c. CE) ancient-city attributed to Swahili. Swahili port town 1.5 ha with 4 mosques and coral rag houses at Mtwapa creek mouth. Kirkman: Jumba la Mtwana with Great Mosque 13th c. and House of the Cistern with bath.
Why it mattersKey Swahili 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. 14th c. CE
- Period
- Swahili (14th–15th c. CE)
- Culture
- Swahili
- Purpose
- Swahili port town 1.5 ha with 4 mosques and coral rag houses at Mtwapa creek mouth
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 14th c. CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Reisner/Kirkman survey
On the ground
Structures & features
3.9500° S · 39.7500° E · 5 m · 3 mapped features
Jumba la Mtwana — Mtwapa Creek — Great Mosque
mosqueFriday mosque with mihrab and pillar tomb
3.9498° S · 39.7501° EJumba la Mtwana — Mtwapa Creek — Stone House Cluster
houseCoral rag house compound
3.9502° S · 39.7502° EJumba la Mtwana — Mtwapa Creek — Town Enclosure
enclosureOuter enclosure or creek defence
3.9496° S · 39.7498° E