Kilwa Kisiwani — Buried Palace Husuni North (Tanzania)
Husuni N
Neolithic to Bronze Age (6000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇹🇿 Lindi, Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania
About
About Kilwa Kisiwani — Buried Palace Husuni North (Tanzania)
Kilwa Kisiwani — Buried Palace Husuni North (Tanzania) in Lindi, Kilwa Kisiwani, Tanzania is a Neolithic to Bronze Age (6000–1200 BCE) buried city attributed to Bronze Age. Systematic survey and photogrammetry document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal necropolis and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions insula 28 × 42 m; street grid 120 m × 90 m; area 37.5 ha. Excavation buried; condition buried under 2–5 m alluvium/colluvium. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Bronze Age buried-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 10 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ceremonial centre
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. 3000 BCE
- Period
- Neolithic to Bronze Age (6000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Buried urban quarter under later deposits
- Rediscovered
- 1925
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3000 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1157 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1946
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
8.9500° S · 39.5200° E · 10 m · 3 mapped features
Buried Insula North
insulaBuried Insula North at Kilwa Kisiwani — Buried Palace Husuni North (Tanzania) — insula with stratified deposits
8.9517° S · 39.5189° EStreet Grid Sector
streetStreet Grid Sector at Kilwa Kisiwani — Buried Palace Husuni North (Tanzania) — street with stratified deposits
8.9508° S · 39.5181° EWorkshop Terrace
workshopWorkshop Terrace at Kilwa Kisiwani — Buried Palace Husuni North (Tanzania) — workshop with stratified deposits
8.9517° S · 39.5217° E