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The National Museum of Tanzania

Kua Ruins

Kua Ruins

Kua ruins are remnants of a medieval Swahili Stone Town that thrived between the 13 (or possibly earlier) and the 15 Century. It is located on Juani Island and was one of two Swahili towns in the Mafia archipelago. In the Portuguese reports from the 17 Century, the stone town was mentioned. Sir Mortimer Wheeler (1955), fascinated by Kua's extensive ruins, suggested that Kua could be considered the Pompeii in East Africa.