gems, archaeology, archaeogemology, Africa, East Africa, Tanzania, Kenya

This is a preliminary report of an archaeological reconnaissance conducted in the Rufiji District, Coast region in July and August 1996. The district of Rufiji comprises the whole of the Rufiji delta, some few off-islands near the delta, and the immediate hinterland of the delta extending to about 100 km into the interior. The district is on the central coast of East Africa, about 100 km south of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania from latitude 7°35’ to 8°00’ S and longitude 38°30’ to 39°20’ E (Map 1). The archaeological research was organized by the Archaeology Unit of the University of Dar es Salaam as field training for archaeology students. The Archaeology Unit has annual field school sessions, which involve, apart from training, archaeological survey and excavations.