Browsing by Author "Ntandu, Christowaja Lazarus"

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    Archaeological investigation early triangular incised ware site at Bwembweni, Kaole, Bagamoyo
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2005) Ntandu, Christowaja Lazarus
    This dissertation is about archaeological investigation of Bwembweni Kaole early Triangular Incised Ware site. This site is located 2 kilometers south of Kaole Ruins. The site was found in survey that was conducted in June-July 2000 by Professor Felix Chami from University of Dar es Salaam and hypothesized the existence of early Triangular Incised Ware tradition. The major objective was to check his hypothesis and to explore more about this pre-Swahili site. This work has identified that, the site of Bwembweni Kaole has early Triangular Incised pottery tradition. This is the early Triangular Incised Ware site since it has potsherds which have both characteristics of Early Iron working as well as elements of Triangular Incised Ware tradition. However many potsherds have triangular motifisas the main decoration although they still maintain some Early elements such as thick rims, clear bevels as well as flutes. These potsherds have been discovered through excavation, the main technique that has been used in this study. Apart from Kaole hills and Kaole Ruins that have been studied and proved to have the occupation of 8th and 12th century AD respectively, this study has indicated that Bwembweni has been occupied since 6th century AD. So this is an ancestral site to Kaole hill as well as Kaole ruins. By this work, Bagamoyo is now established to have been occupied from about 6th century AD.
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    The tradition of early iron working period on the northern coast of Tanzania: a case study of Maramba division in Tanga region.
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2018) Ntandu, Christowaja Lazarus
    Researches on Early Iron Working period particularly on the Coast of East Africa were mainly concerned with classification of ceramics for the purpose of establishing cultural sequences, cultural traditions and developing the Bantu migration theory. In the recent thinking, the focus on ceramics as a source of evidence for understanding the African Past is viewed to have some limitations. This study has gone beyond to use multiple archaeological evidences such as iron slag, iron tools, daub, ceramic arts objects and fauna remains to examine the cultural aspects of the Early Iron Working (EIW) period on Northern Coast of Tanzania using Maramba as a case study. This culture is examined in relation to transoceanic trade that was reported by the Romans in the first two centuries AD. The basic research techniques in archaeology, mainly survey and excavation were used to uncover various archaeological remains which include local and imported ceramics, archaeometallurgical remains, fauna remains and daubs. Of interest in this study, is the discovery of cattle teeth, artistic ceramic objects with SGA script and Dimple based pottery or Urewe for the first time in the tradition of EIW along the coast of East Africa. The presence of diversified ubiquitous archaeological material remains implies the study area to have been occupied by the large population probably engaged in various socio-economic activities. The Carbon 14 results obtained from charcoal analysis confirmed that the Northern coast of Tanzania to had been settled by EIW people from 197 AD to 355 AD. This community which developed from the Late Stone Age (LSA) was found to be evolved through two phases of EIW traditions namely Limbo and Kwale and later on to Maore which is the later EIW working period. Similar sequence has been established on the central coast of Tanzania by other scholars like Felix Chami. The data recovered from this study suggest that EIW culture or Bantu speaking people developed complex societies in which they engaged in various activities which include cattle domestication, iron smelting, transoceanic and regional trade. Various techniques of decorative motifs found in their EIW pottery reflecting complex and high level of artistic knowledge attained by EIW people.