Welcome to The SEA Project Archaeological Field Station in Zanzibar
The SEA Project owns and operates a fully functional research station in the fishing village of Mfumbwi, located on the southeast coast of the island of Zanzibar (Unguja). This facility is meant to serve as the base of operations for archaeologists conducting research on the island. It contains two bedrooms, a study, a large kitchen (meant to cook for 15 people at once), a lab and storage space, dining area, and a living room. Most of the compound of the Field Station is given over to a community garden, where fruiting trees are grown for the benefit of the community. It is also meant to serve as a permanent field school in Zanzibar.
Building a research station at the heart of a village allows us to involve community members intimately in research. We are guided in our research questions and priorities by the community and work to make archaeology beneficial and relevant to local stakeholders. The Field Station itself is available for use by community members for their own purposes.
View from the secure gate. The SEA Project Field Station lies amidst a lush community garden.
To celebrate Zanzibar's rich maritime culture, the Field Station houses a complete local canoe known as an ngalawa. Here, workers raise the boat to hang from the ceiling of the entrance hall.
Just within the entrance lies a community gathering space that is often used by members of the community for their own projects. When not in use, it serves as a place where project members can socialize.
The Field Station has a large archaeological lab with secure storage facilities for artifacts and equipment. The large tables provide a broad workspace to suit the needs of any researcher.
The community garden also houses many species of local wildlife, like this chameleon.
As a coral limestone island, Zanzibar boasts some fabulous fossils like this giant clam. The Field Station is also committed to preserving the island's paleontological heritage.
Members of the local community play an integral role in archaeological research at the Field Station. Here, data concerning the day's shellfish catch is being recorded.
The Field Station also has a sheltered outdoor lab/workspace with a flotation station (background). Here, a member of the local community collects subsistence data.
Water lilies grow in a small fish pond set in the community garden.
The Field Station is located within a few minutes' walk from a beautiful white sand beach. Here, a traditional canoe (ngalawa) rests on the sand during low tide.
The view from the veranda at sunset. Note the tubs for defleshing faunal remains. The Field Station is in the process of creating a world-class comparative faunal collection.
The community garden today. Lush foliage and lily ponds create a serene environment where research takes place.