The Iron Age Site at Gatung'ang'a, Central Kenya

Abstract

Summary The site of Gatung'ang'a near Nyeri, Kenya, provides evidence of very extensive iron-smelting and is attributed to the Gumba people who, according to tradition, preceded the Kikuyu in this area. The excavation produced sherds of Kwale-type pottery in the lower level, and of a crude ware probably derived from it in the upper. This is taken as evidence of Bantu-speaking occupants, but a comparison with other sites in central Kenya raises doubts as to whether they were really the Gumba, and the identity of the latter remains unproved.