The basic chronology of the early town of Manda Island in the Lamu Archipelago of Kenya is divided into 6 different periods,[disputed (for: conflict with the following details) – discuss] based mostly on the types of imported pottery that has been found in different strata of the excavations.
[27] Unglazed Islamic wares found at Manda are generally identified by vessel type.
The only ornamentation on this type is a groove located below the rim and it is covered by a dense, usually cream colored but occasionally brown, fabric.
[40] They both have a moulded rim with marked carination, small vertical handles with a ridge down the middle, short spouts and are cream or buff in color; there is a single example in red with a white slip.
[48] These handles can be grouped into two classes; one is rather close in appearance to the Amphora style, and the other is cast in two pieces, always with a figure eight section.
[49] This type of pottery is also called Siraf cream with the more “refined” varieties being labelled as Gudulia and Eggshell ware.
This type of pottery is also remarkably similar to jugs that are found in an early Islamic city called Susa.
Of the sherds, the largest one shows a coarse crimson fabric with black paint, over a buff slip.
[53] The other two sherds, on the other hand, are coloured with a reddish buff paste with one exhibiting a very thin layer of a green glaze.
[55] There are a number of rim sherds from vessels of unknown form but thought to possibly of very deep bowls.
[56] There is a single sample of a large, very thickly potted vessel, whose fabric is a light green buff.
There is also a single sherd that appears to have been from the late ninth century which is believed to be a pseudo Sigilatta style slipware.
[57] There is also a single sherd of a grey impressed ware vessel which seems to be of a closed wheel thrown variety, perhaps some sort of jug or bottle.
The sherd shows a grey-brown paste and is decorated with tooled incised lines and a walked motif.