Preliminary Report of Early Iron Working Settlement at Maramba in Tanga Region, Northern Tanzania

Abstract

Through archaeological survey and excavations, it has been possible to identify rich Early Iron Working (EIW) sites at Maramba, northern coast of Tanga region. Carbon 14 date confirmed Maramba to have EIW cultural materials, dating to between 197 and 235 A.D. The interpretation of material remains has revealed EIW communities as sedentary, with various economic and social activities ranging from domestication of animals, agriculture, iron smelting, pottery suggest complex and high level of artistic knowledge which had been attained by EIW people. The first time recovery of fauna remains such as cattle’s teeth and bones, in EIW context, indicate that Bantu people were not only land tillers, but also cattle herders. Like other EIW sites on the coast, evidence from Maramba supports an argument that the coast of East Africa had been settled since the Stone Age period. The cultural sequence of Maramba spans from the LSA to historic period.