The Antiquities is one among the divisions within the Department of Museums and Antiquities, responsible for conserve,
presentation and develop historical sites that have been protected legally under the 2002 Act no. 11, which wrote in 2003
There are 85 sites, including Historical Caves protected by law.
Roles are as follows.
a) To initiate, to develop and to review policy and cultural heritage law.
b) Collecting, documenting and conserving architectural heritage including traditional structure.
c) Co-ordinating and performing archaeological research and related activities.
d) Issuing permits to local and foreign researchers for excavation and collections of objects.
e) Among the division of antiquities role is to conduct archaeological research. The sites which excavation took place
are old town of Unguja Ukuu, Machaga caves, (Pete), Kuumbi (Jambiani), Mwannampambe (Makunduchi), Haroun Ruins at (Chwaka),
Ras mkumbuu (Chake chake) At recently, our experts work together with experts from University of Dar es salaam did research at
the Kiwengwa cave whereby many objects were collected and now there are in the process of analysis.
From that research artefacts were recovered. Some of the findings helped to understand importance of historical information
ancient of Zanzibar history and its development. For example the oldest city of east African coast of Unguja Ukuu which
started in 500 A.D. and the Zanzibar history started since 20,000 ago before Christ.
1) Approving proposals related to restoration, rehabilitation, documentation of historical monuments and sites
2) Advising the Department, Government and other stake holder on research and conservation issues related to cultural heritage and Historical sites.
3) 85 historical sites in Unguja and Pemba have been gazetted under the legal Act. Among of the sites in Unguja are Khole Ruins, Beit el Ajaib,
Changuu Island, Chapwani Island, Chumbe Island and machaga cave, Kuumbi cave, Mwanampambe cave etc.
In Pemba are Misali Island, mitondooni panza, banani, bandari kuu, msikiti wa bohara, kiliwa makoongwe etc.
• To collaborate with other development partners such as MACEMP and other stakeholders, providing and encourages education to societies in the
importance of their donation to cultural heritage within country in general.
• In order to reach its responsibilities, the division of Antiquities work together with societies to protect and preserve historical sites
especially most of the sites are in the rural area.
• Education provided helps to find small society groups dealing with conserve and protect the historical sites for the future development.
These groups are at the maruhubi, fukuchani, pete, bungi, kuumbi, chuini in Unguja. And in Pemba are ndagoni, ole mandani, chwaka tumbe,
pujini, chambani, vitongoji mkomani and vitongoji kijumbani. These steps help by cleaning and maintenance all old buildings without destroy
its natural and uniqueness for the future development such as Ruins of Maruhubi, Ngome Kongwe of Portuguies (Fukuchani), Chuini Ruins,
Old Mosque at Kizimkazi etc.
• Societies benefits by employed themselves and increase their income that come from visitors entrance fee. These helps to appreciate cultural
heritage resources and the treasure of the Nation.
educatin explanation
The Museum Education Unit has following duties.To inspacte Zanzibar monuments and ruins , and looking for thedevolopment, challanges and advive the department what should be taken to make site in safe condition. Also, another functions is to visit Zanzibar Historical sites and report as quik as possible in case there are the destruction , demage accident or illegal taking of Historical area or ruins
• The duties of documentation Unit: To register all artifacts most concerned with documentation and record keeping. This documentation includes information about an object's condition, its accession number or identification number and its status in the museum, provenance, materials, and all of its movement within the museum or out on loan. • • When an object arrives at the museum for the first time as a prospective addition to the collection, a registrar immediately begins the documentation and tracking process by assigning a temporary identification number and assembling records that include the object's condition, date of arrival, the reason for its arrival at the museum, and a photograph documenting its physical appearance. This information follows the object through the acquisition process, tracking its movements. If the museum decides to accept the object, the registrar will then update the record, assigning a permanent accession number to the object. • Loans: Objects are loaned between museums for a variety of reasons, typically for special exhibitions. As with acquisitions, the registrar assigns a temporary identification number to objects on loan to the museum, documents their condition, and creates a file to follow the object's movement while it is in the museum. Registrars are also present at the loading dock upon arrival to supervise the unloading, condition of packing material, and ensure that the objects are handled properly. In the case of outgoing loans, the registrar documents which objects are leaving the museum and either carries out or oversees their packing for shipment, and loading into the shipping vehicles.
The roles of Markerting, Publicity and Information Technology. 1 To undertaken all Publicity and Markerting activities. 2 To undertake , develop, and update the departmental website and any others information devices. 3 To create, plan ,propose and take necessary measure for the Department. 4 To link and corperate with departmental units and all tourism agencies inboosting mutual relationship. 5 To creat the awareness to the whole communities. 6 To organise TV's and Radio's programms. 7 To arrange domestic tourism tourisms trips to museums and Antiquities destination. 8 To organise and participate in exhibition. 9 To undertake regular advertisement through magazines, flyers, brochures, barners, posters, calendes, maps and any other means od media reacheable by the domestic and International communities. 10 To providing routing working and directive reports. 11 To prepare working and budget plan according to the requirement.