Archaeological trenches in Zanzibar — in pictures


  • A UAE-led team dug archaeological trenches inside the Old Fort of Zanzibar's Stone Town. Photo: Tim Power
    A UAE-led team dug archaeological trenches inside the Old Fort of Zanzibar's Stone Town. Photo: Tim Power
  • They sought to understand more about the Portuguese legacy at Zanzibar. In this photo, they are excavating the floor of the colonial-era church. Photo: Tim Power
    They sought to understand more about the Portuguese legacy at Zanzibar. In this photo, they are excavating the floor of the colonial-era church. Photo: Tim Power
  • Seventeenth-century Chinese porcelain found at the Portuguese trading base in Zanzibar. Ships brought back ceramics from China to Portugal, using Stone Town as a safe haven to stop and rest. Photo: Tim Power
    Seventeenth-century Chinese porcelain found at the Portuguese trading base in Zanzibar. Ships brought back ceramics from China to Portugal, using Stone Town as a safe haven to stop and rest. Photo: Tim Power
  • Excavations were conducted in Stone Town's Old Fort. EPA
    Excavations were conducted in Stone Town's Old Fort. EPA
  • Human remains from the 17th century Portuguese cemetery. Photo: Tim Power
    Human remains from the 17th century Portuguese cemetery. Photo: Tim Power
  • A crucifix and Christian 'sacred heart' pendant found in Portuguese graves at Stone Town. Photo: Tim Power
    A crucifix and Christian 'sacred heart' pendant found in Portuguese graves at Stone Town. Photo: Tim Power
  • Human remains from the 17th century Portuguese burials. Photo: Tim Power
    Human remains from the 17th century Portuguese burials. Photo: Tim Power
  • A wall of the 17th century Portuguese Church of Our Lady of Grace was found integrated into the Old Fort of Zanzibar's Stone Town. Photo: Mark Horton
    A wall of the 17th century Portuguese Church of Our Lady of Grace was found integrated into the Old Fort of Zanzibar's Stone Town. Photo: Mark Horton
  • The 17th century Church of Santo Antonio on the Island of Mozambique gives an idea of what the Zanzibar church might have looked like. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
    The 17th century Church of Santo Antonio on the Island of Mozambique gives an idea of what the Zanzibar church might have looked like. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
  • Zanzibar's Stone Town has a cosmopolitan past. EPA
    Zanzibar's Stone Town has a cosmopolitan past. EPA
  • The Portuguese trading station may have resembled a small fort such as Bidya in Fujairah, shown here in a 17th century Portuguese atlas. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
    The Portuguese trading station may have resembled a small fort such as Bidya in Fujairah, shown here in a 17th century Portuguese atlas. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
  • Three phases of walls from the Portuguese trading station spanning the 16th and 17th centuries at Stone Town. Photo: Tim Power
    Three phases of walls from the Portuguese trading station spanning the 16th and 17th centuries at Stone Town. Photo: Tim Power
  • Seventeenth-century Chinese porcelain found at the Portuguese trading station in Zanzibar. Photo: Tim Power
    Seventeenth-century Chinese porcelain found at the Portuguese trading station in Zanzibar. Photo: Tim Power
  • Excavations of the 17th century Portuguese burials under the floor of the church. Photo: Tim Power
    Excavations of the 17th century Portuguese burials under the floor of the church. Photo: Tim Power
  • Teams uncover skeletons in Stone Town dating to the Portuguese era. Photo: Tim Power
    Teams uncover skeletons in Stone Town dating to the Portuguese era. Photo: Tim Power
  • Human remains from the 17th century Portuguese burials. Photo: Tim Power
    Human remains from the 17th century Portuguese burials. Photo: Tim Power
  • A bracelet found in a Portuguese-era cemetery in Zanzibar’s Stone Town. Photo: Mark Horton
    A bracelet found in a Portuguese-era cemetery in Zanzibar’s Stone Town. Photo: Mark Horton
  • Remains of the Portuguese church/cemetery in Zanzibar’s Stone Town. Photo: Mark Horton
    Remains of the Portuguese church/cemetery in Zanzibar’s Stone Town. Photo: Mark Horton