An archaeological study of Amboni limestone caves, Tanga Region in the northern coast of Tanzania

Abstract

This paper presents the archaeological study undertaken at Amboni limestone caves in the northern coast of Tanzania. The study of the Amboni caves came as a follow up from the extensive archaeological works conducted by Professor Felix Chami and colleagues on the limestone caves of Tanzania offshore islands. The excavations by Chami and colleagues yielded ground-breaking archaeological evidence of the presence on the East African coast of a cultural sequence ranging from Stone Age to the present. This study aimed at establishing the cultural chronology and ascertaining its relationship with that of the islands limestone caves. This study demonstrated the existence of LSA materials, EIW pottery tradition, TIW pottery tradition, and later pottery traditions.