Abstract

Building on ongoing laboratory analyses, this seminar will discuss the potential and challenges of developing micro-archaeological approaches to household contexts based on current work at the early medieval site of Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar. Systematic mapping of soil chemical concentrations has enabled tracing the layout of house deposits, and offered insights on how space may have been organised. Contextual micromorphology and phytolith analyses are now proving the high-resolution data on site formation processes, use of space and domestic activities.