3rd century – 15th century
Northern Tanzania
Engaruka is an extensive archaeological complex in northern Tanzania consisting of terraces, stone circles, cairns, field systems, and stock enclosures spread across more than five square kilometres. At least two populations occupied the site. Radiocarbon samples indicate activity from approximately the fourth through the fifteenth centuries AD, although no continuous stratified cultural sequence was recovered.
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The Story
Engaruka lies beside a perennial stream descending the western wall of the Rift Valley. Stone-built structures extend across more than five square kilometres and include terraced platforms, stone circles, cairns, agricultural field systems, and enclosures for livestock. The scale and diversity of the remains distinguish Engaruka from the smaller Iron Age sites discussed elsewhere in the region.
At least two populations occupied the complex. The terraced platforms on the western escarpment predated the stone circles on the valley floor, but occupation did not produce a straightforward stratified sequence because settlement tended to spread outward rather than repeatedly rebuild on earlier village locations.
Radiocarbon samples from the hillside platforms produced dates around the fourth and eighth centuries AD, while samples from lower-lying areas dated to approximately the fifteenth century. The hillside pottery featured bands of incised lines around the neck of simple vessels, with some impressed decoration; pottery from the valley structures had broad parallel incised bands, sometimes arranged in vertical panels.
3rd century – 15th century
Northern Tanzania
Engaruka is an extensive archaeological complex in northern Tanzania consisting of terraces, stone circles, cairns, field systems, and stock enclosures spread across more than five square kilometres. At least two populations occupied the site. Radiocarbon samples indicate activity from approximately the fourth through the fifteenth centuries AD, although no continuous stratified cultural sequence was recovered.
Continue exploring
The Story
Engaruka lies beside a perennial stream descending the western wall of the Rift Valley. Stone-built structures extend across more than five square kilometres and include terraced platforms, stone circles, cairns, agricultural field systems, and enclosures for livestock. The scale and diversity of the remains distinguish Engaruka from the smaller Iron Age sites discussed elsewhere in the region.
At least two populations occupied the complex. The terraced platforms on the western escarpment predated the stone circles on the valley floor, but occupation did not produce a straightforward stratified sequence because settlement tended to spread outward rather than repeatedly rebuild on earlier village locations.
Radiocarbon samples from the hillside platforms produced dates around the fourth and eighth centuries AD, while samples from lower-lying areas dated to approximately the fifteenth century. The hillside pottery featured bands of incised lines around the neck of simple vessels, with some impressed decoration; pottery from the valley structures had broad parallel incised bands, sometimes arranged in vertical panels.
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