Mwangia Pottery Tradition: Technical Analysis and Placement in the East African Cultural Sequence

Abstract

This report presents an analysis of the Mwangia pottery from Mtembwe/Mahege site in Rufiji, Tanzania and provides a discussion on where the assemblage fits in within the pottery cultural sequence developed for the central coast of east Africa by Chami (1994/95). Mwangia tradition which was prominent from 5^th-6^th century A.D was seen in Tanzania extending from Dar es Salaam through south western Tanzania to Mozambique, Zimbabwe and south Africa with variants such as Mwabulambo, Nkope and Gokomere (Kwekason,2010). Mwangia pottery tradition was recognized from a small sample of pottery excavated from the site Mwangia and material excavated from the site of Ziweziwe both in the Rufiji region (Chami and Kessy, 1995). The pottery excavated from these sites was hereafter termed Mwangia because the site of Mwangia is richer and easily accessible than Ziweziwe. More than six sites with this pottery tradition that is characterized by beveled rims and comb stamping have been reported (Soper 1971).

Keywords: pottery, EIW - Early Iron Working, pottery analysis, assemblages, cultural sequence