Stepping Stones in the Indian Ocean: New Archaeological Evidence for Trade and Interaction in the Comoros Archipelago, East Africa

Associate Professor Alison Crowther (University of Queensland)

New archaeological evidence from the Comoros Archipelago reveals its pivotal role as a maritime crossroads linking East Africa, Madagascar, and the wider Indian Ocean. In this public lecture, Associate Professor Alison Crowther will unveil recent discoveries that rewrite our understanding of early human migration, globalization, and cross-cultural trade. By examining excavated material culture, ancient food crops, and archaeobotanical remains, she will demonstrate how these "stepping stone" islands facilitated early encounters between African and Island Southeast Asian populations. Discover how these deep-time connections shaped the vibrant history of the Swahili Coast and transformed the western Indian Ocean into a dynamic global highway.

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