African Maritime Archaeology

African maritime archaeology reveals the continent's profound and enduring engagement with global maritime affairs, spanning from the Middle Stone Age to modern times. Key findings include the earliest evidence of human marine resource exploitation at South African sites like Klasies River Mouth and Pinnacle Point, where the use of marine resources coincided with symbolic behavior and advanced stone tool technology. The study also highlights the significant impact of changing sea levels due to Ice Ages and tectonic movements on coastal archaeological sites. Additionally, it explores the evolution of maritime trade, from ancient Egyptian plank-built boats to the rise of Swahili port cities like Kilwa and Mombasa during the medieval period, and the construction of Portuguese forts such as Fort Jesus in Mombasa. The research approach combines geomorphological analysis with historical documentation, including Classical texts like the Periplus Maris Erythraei and Ptolemy’s Geographia, to interpret the functioning of African maritime societies within their environmental and cultural contexts.

Pollard, E. (2021). African Maritime Archaeology. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.419