Mtwapa Ruins — Mombasa North Bypass
Swahili (13th–15th c. CE) secondary·Swahili·🇰🇪 Mombasa County, Kenya
About
About Mtwapa Ruins — Mombasa North Bypass
Mtwapa Ruins — Mombasa North Bypass in Mombasa County, Kenya is a Swahili (13th–15th c. CE) secondary ancient-city attributed to Swahili. Secondary Mtwapa creek stone town 800 m from Jumba la Mtwana with shell midden. Ecological secondary settlement of Jumba complex.
Why it mattersKey Swahili centre in the Mombasa 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–15th c. CE) secondary
- Culture
- Swahili
- Purpose
- Secondary Mtwapa creek stone town 800 m from Jumba la Mtwana with shell midden
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 13th c. CE
Initial construction
c. 1900 CE
Reisner/Kirkman survey
On the ground
Structures & features
3.9400° S · 39.7400° E · 10 m · 3 mapped features
Mtwapa Ruins — Mombasa North Bypass — Great Mosque
mosqueFriday mosque with mihrab and pillar tomb
3.9398° S · 39.7401° EMtwapa Ruins — Mombasa North Bypass — Stone House Cluster
houseCoral rag house compound
3.9402° S · 39.7402° EMtwapa Ruins — Mombasa North Bypass — Town Enclosure
enclosureOuter enclosure or creek defence
3.9396° S · 39.7398° E