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Use of Zanzibar copal (Hymenaea verrucosa Gaertn.) as incense at Unguja Ukuu, Tanzania in the 7–8th century CE: chemical insights into trade and Indian Ocean interactions

Crowther, Alison ; Veall, Margaret-Ashley ; Boivin, Nicole ; Horton, Mark ; Kotarba-Morley, Anna ; Fuller, Dorian Q. ; Fenn, Thomas ; Haji, Othman ; Matheson, Carney D.

Journal of archaeological science, 2015-01, Vol.53, p.374-390 [Periódico revisado por pares]

Elsevier Ltd

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  • Título:
    Use of Zanzibar copal (Hymenaea verrucosa Gaertn.) as incense at Unguja Ukuu, Tanzania in the 7–8th century CE: chemical insights into trade and Indian Ocean interactions
  • Autor: Crowther, Alison ; Veall, Margaret-Ashley ; Boivin, Nicole ; Horton, Mark ; Kotarba-Morley, Anna ; Fuller, Dorian Q. ; Fenn, Thomas ; Haji, Othman ; Matheson, Carney D.
  • Assuntos: East Africa ; GC–MS ; Hymenaea verrucosa ; Incense burner ; Indian Ocean trade ; Residue analysis ; Zanzibar copal
  • É parte de: Journal of archaeological science, 2015-01, Vol.53, p.374-390
  • Descrição: This study presents the chemical analysis of an amorphous organic residue extracted from a 7th–early 8th century CE brass artefact from the trading port of Unguja Ukuu, Zanzibar, Tanzania, hypothesised to be an incense burner. The artefact is a very rare and highly significant find in East Africa, with only one other example being found previously (also at the same site), and likely represents early contact between coastal East Africa and the Indian Ocean world. Chemical analysis of the residue adhering to this artefact was undertaken to confirm its use to burn incense, and to determine whether the resin used was local or exotic to East Africa and thus likely acquired through long-distance trade. The residue extract was analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) and identified as Zanzibar copal (Hymenaea verrucosa Gaertn.), a local species that rose to major importance in colonial period trade. The results obtained from this study provide the first direct archaeological evidence for the ancient use of this East African species as an aromatic, suggesting that it might have had a much earlier role in long-distance incense trade than previously demonstrated. This finding also provides insights into local East African engagement with the material culture of the Indian Ocean world. •Organic residue on a brass artefact from Zanzibar was identified as local copal resin.•Use of Zanzibar copal as an aromatic in the 1st millennium CE is shown for the first time.•East African ports may have exported incense earlier than previously demonstrated.•Residue analysis can document East Africa's early exploitation of its natural resources.•The findings provide insights into early Swahili use of Indian Ocean material culture.
  • Editor: Elsevier Ltd
  • Idioma: Inglês
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  • Realização: ABCD-USP USP   Logos de Redes Sociais: Freepik

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