Manda Ruins

The Manda town ruins are one of two ancient port settlements on Manda Island. Located on the north-western side of the island, the Manda ruins are believed to have been established as a trade centre circa the 9th century, but later abandoned, perhaps due to lack of fresh water. When the area was excavated in the 1960s and 70s, archaeologists discovered massive sea walls built from large blocks of coral and unearthed Chinese porcelain, Persian pottery, coloured glass and other artefacts that pointed to a prosperous trading society.