Stone anchors from Mombasa, Kenya: Evidence of maritime contacts with Indian Ocean countries

Since prehistoric times, people have used some kind of watercraft to cross rivers, seas and oceans, reaching far-off places - and they most likely used stones as anchors. After several centuries, watercrafts changed dramatically, i.e., construction changed from log to plank, plank to hull and from wood to steel; rowing and sailing were replaced by mechanical power; and carrying capacity increased. Similarly, anchors changed from stone to wood, from lead to iron and iron to steel. These aspects have been confirmed by evidence from various maritime archaeological investigations and shipwreck findings throughout the globe (Pulak 2005: 43; Tripati et al. 2014: 115-143; Curry 1999: 17-23; Wachsmann 1998: 255-293; Upham 1983: 3-25).