Kaole
Kaole is a national historic site located in Bagamoyo District of Pwani Region in Tanzania. The site is located three miles east of the historic city of Bagamoyo on the Indian Ocean coast. The area contains old Swahili coral stone ruins dating to a period between the 13th century and the 16th century. Some of the ruins date back to the 13th century and consist of two mosques and 30 tombs.
Kaole Ruins in Bagamoyo District | |
Shown within Tanzania | |
| Location | Bagamoyo District, Pwani Region, Tanzania |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 6.4634°S 38.9468°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Material | Coral rag |
| Founded | 13th century |
| Cultures | Swahili |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | 1958 |
| Archaeologists | Neville Chittick |
| Condition | Endangered |
| Ownership | Tanzanian Government |
| Management | Antiquities Division, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural styles | Swahili |
National Historic Sites of Tanzania | |
| Official name | Kaole Ruins Historic Site |
| Type | Cultural |
The tombs at Kaole were built from coral stones with stone pillars that marked some of the tombs. According to local tradition, some of the tombs are the graves of local rulers who were known as "diwanis". "Diwanis" are believed to be the descendants of the Sheikh Ali Muhamad al-Hatim al-Barawi. A small museum has been established, where some artifacts are exposed that were found in the ruins. Some of these artifacts are Chinese and thus provide evidence of ancient commercial relationships.