Archaeological investigation of the Mtswa-mwindza’s mosque at Ntsaoueni stone town (Ngazidja Island)

Comoros archipelago is among African countries whose history has been mainly reported by oral traditions. Therefore, Comoros history has long been obscured due to lack of ancient written records, while archaeology remains the only potential tool for reconstructing the prehistory of Comoros, its practice is still in its infancy stage. Oral tradition of the area suggests that the stone limed Mosque of Mtswa-Mwindza located in Ntsaouéni Stone Town was constructed in the 7th century AD. To many East African archaeologists and historians this date has been seen as too early for the commencement of Islam along the Coast Swahili region. It is on that consideration that the current archaeological research was undertaken in order to assess both the oral tradition accounts and records from early scholars. Radiocarbon and relative dating of the site suggest that the aforementioned mosque was constructed in the 7th century AD. The analysis of various types of cultural materials collected from survey and excavation namely local and imported pottery, local and imported beads, fauna, glasses and decorated tombs with Islamic and non-Islamic designs indicating that Ntsaouéni Stone Town traded with foreign merchants from far regions. The local pottery assisted the study in dating the settlement of Ntsaouéni Stone Town to as far back as the EIW period. The study falls in line with the oral tradition reporting human occupation in Comoros prior to the revelation of Islam and practice of Islam and use of lime in Comoros from the 7th century AD