Yambe Island

Yambe Island, situated off the coast of Tanga, Tanzania, is an uninhabited site of considerable archaeological interest due to the presence of medieval Swahili ruins. Despite being unexcavated, these ruins suggest that the island once hosted a thriving settlement during the Late Post-Classical Period, spanning from the 11th to the 15th centuries CE. The island's integration within the Tanga Coelacanth Marine Park highlights both its ecological and historical significance. The site offers a unique opportunity to explore Swahili culture and history, potentially uncovering insights into regional trade networks, settlement patterns, and cultural exchanges along the East African coast. Protected under the administration of Tanzania Marine Parks and Reserves, Yambe Island remains an important yet underexplored archaeological site with the potential to contribute valuable knowledge about the Swahili civilization.