Renewed Archaeological Research in Singida Region, Central Tanzania

Afr Archaeol Rev https://doi.org/10.1007/s10437-025-09620-0 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Renewed Archaeological Research in Singida Region, Central Tanzania Makarius Itambu · Eslem Ben Arous · Ricardo Fernandes · Marina Gallinaro · Jana Ilgner · Mary Lucas · Patrick Roberts · Erin Scott · Axel Steinhof · Robert Patalano Accepted: 1 April 2025 © The Author(s) 2025, corrected publication 2025 Abstract Archaeological research in central Tanzania, chiefly in the Singida Region, has only been sporadically conducted, with the focus of such investigations being mostly on rock art and Later Stone Age (LSA) material. Here, we report preliminary results from renewed research expeditions conducted in the Singida Region. In 2021 and 2022, we located 31 archaeological sites in Ikungi District, excavated an open-air site (Nkungi) and a rock shelter • Archaeological time period: Holocene, Iron Age • Country and region discussed: Singida Region, Tanzania Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi. org/10.1007/s10437-025-09620-0. M. Itambu (*) Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania e-mail: M. Itambu · R. Fernandes · J. Ilgner · M. Lucas · P. Roberts · E. Scott Department of Coevolution of Land Use and Urbanisation, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany M. Itambu · P. Roberts · R. Patalano (*) IsoTROPIC Research Group, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany e-mail: E. B. Arous Centro Nacional de Investigación Sobre La Evolución Humana, Burgos, Spain (Itramuka), and uncovered well-stratified cultural sequences containing lithics, ceramics, and metallurgical remains, as well as human remains and animal bones. The recent archaeological discoveries in the region revealed a rich and composite archaeological heritage, encompassing scatters of archaeological artifacts, stratified deposits, and rock shelters with preserved deposits and rock art. These sites are embedded in a varied landscape that, in itself, should be preserved for their geo-heritage. Our renewed research also emphasizes the importance of local community engagement, specifically with traditional landowners, to ensure the sustainability of this multidisciplinary research project. E. B. Arous Human Palaeosystems Group, Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology, Jena, Germany E. B. Arous Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Histoire Naturelle de L’Homme Préhistorique, Paris, France M. Gallinaro Dipartimento Di Scienze Dell’Antichità, Università Degli Studi Di Roma, La Sapienza” Via Dei Volsci 122, 00185 Rome, Italy M. Lucas The Arctic University Museum of Norway, Tromsø, Norway Vol.: (0123456789) Afr Archaeol Rev Résumé La recherche archéologique en Tanzanie centrale, principalement dans la région de Singida, n’a été menée que de manière sporadique, l’accent étant mis principalement sur l’art rupestre et le matériel de l’âge de la pierre le plus tardif (LSA). Nous présentons ici les résultats préliminaires de nouvelles expéditions de recherche menées dans la région de Singida. En 2021 et 2022, nous avons localisé 31 sites archéologiques dans le district d’Ikungi, fouillé un site en plein air (Nkungi) et un abri sous roche (Itramuka), et mis au jour des séquences culturelles bien stratifiées contenant des lithiques, des céramiques et des restes métallurgiques, ainsi que des restes humains et des ossements d’animaux. Les récentes découvertes archéologiques dans la région ont révélé un patrimoine archéologique riche et composite, comprenant des objets archéologiques dispersés, des dépôts stratifiés et des abris sous roche avec des dépôts préservés et de l’art rupestre. Ces sites sont intégrés dans un paysage varié qui, en soi, devrait être préservé pour son géopatrimoine. Nos nouvelles recherches soulignent également l’importance de l’engagement de la communauté locale, en particulier des propriétaires fonciers traditionnels, pour assurer la durabilité de ce projet de recherche multidisciplinaire. zamadamu wa kale zaidi, Zana za Mawe za Muhula wa Kati na hata zama za kipindi cha Historia. Visukuku na masalia ya zana za mawe yaliyogundulika mwaka 2021-2022 baada ya kutafiti na kuchimba maeneo 31 ya Nkungi na Itramuka yaliyopo kijiji cha Siuyu, wilaya ya Ikungi yameonyesha dhahiri kushabihiana sana na ushahidi mwingine wa utamudani wa kale kipindi cha zama za mawe za Mwanzo, Kati na muhula wa Mwisho katika maeneo mbalimbali kam vile kwenye mapango, miambani na karongo yaliyosheni urithi lukuki wa kiakiolojia. Katika harakati za kufufua na kuboresha tafiti zetu ukanda huu, tuliamua kufanya kazi na wenyeji wa mkoa huu, hususani Wanyaturu ili nasi tujifunze kutoka kwao na pia kuweza kuwaelimisha juu ya umuhimu wa kuhifadhi urithi wetu wa malikale kwa ustadi madhubuti. Vivyohivyo, utafiti huu sasa utafungua milango ya tafiti nyingi zaidi na endelevu za kiakilojioa mkoani Singida na kanda ya kati kwa ujumla wake. Ikisiri Tafiti nyingi za kiakilojia zilizofanyika ukanda wa katikati mwa nchi, hususani mkoani Singida zimefanyika kwa kusuasua sana, na kwa kipindi kirefu hakukuwa na tafiti za aina yeyote mkoani humo. Miongoni mwa tafiti chache zilizofanyika ukanda wa Singida ziliegemea na kujikita zaidi kwenye michoro ya mapangoni na kwa kiasi kidogo sana kwenye Zama za Mawe za Muhula wa Mwisho. Tuliamua kwa makusudi na dhati kabisa kukufua tafiti za Akiolojia katika ukanda huu na kubaini uwepo wa masalia ya The archaeological record of Tanzania is globally renowned, with famous localities such as Oldupai Gorge, Laetoli, Peninj, Magubike, and Mumba being recognized for their essential contributions to the study of human biological and cultural diversification (Bushozi, 2023). However, apart from Magubike and Iringa (Willoughby, 2006), most of the country’s archaeological sites and ongoing excavations are conducted in northern Tanzania within the East African Rift Valley. The lack of Stone Age data from most other regions of Tanzania, even after a century of pioneering human origins research, hinders our understanding of the evolution of Homo sapiens, the development of the Middle and Later Stone Ages (MSA and LSA, respectively), and the climatic and environmental context influencing both human morphological and technological changes since the Pleistocene. A major hurdle faced by Tanzanian scholars is the lack of available research funding from sources both within Tanzania and from international agencies that often refuse to fund “high-risk” archaeological pilot studies in favor of projects focused on well-established archaeological localities, some of which have P. Roberts Institute of Prehistoric Archaeology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany A. Steinhof Analytics Group, Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany R. Patalano Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, School of Health and Behavioral Sciences, Bryant University, Smithfield, Rhode Island, USA Vol:. ( (...truncated)