coastweek.com

'PREHISTORIC ELEPHANT MOLAR'
FOUND IN MOMBASA OLD HARBOUR

NEWS LETTER NOTES FROM
THE FRIENDS OF FORT JESUS

Coastweek - - The long rains are already here, wetting the threshold of this coast with eagerly awaited showers.

The news brief from Fort Jesus Museum is also encouragingly sweet.

The department of underwater archaeology has had lucky finds in the sea-waters, both in and offshore.

According to the Scientist Mr. Sommer who is working on this project, a prehistoric elephant molar was found in the waters of the Old Harbour and this raises interesting theories as to the state of this coastline in relation to sea levels a few thousand years ago.

Also found are interesting pieces from the shipwreck of an escort ship of San Antonio de Tanna.

Unfortunately, these sites are being indiscriminately vandalised by treasure hunters, with a lot of pointless damage to the superstructures of the underwater vessel.

Also found are interesting pieces from the shipwreck of an escort ship of San Antonio de Tanna.

Unfortunately, these sites are being indiscriminately vandalised by treasure hunters, with a lot of pointless damage to the superstructures of the underwater vessel.

And, albeit much more recent, was the find of three elephant tusks weighing approximately eight kilograms each.

These could have been dumped by illegal poaching cartels some decades ago or accidentally lost during loading operations when ivory was freely exported from these parts.

The feather in the cap is the search for and identification of the site of the famous township of "Ungama" in the Ungwana Bay off the islands of Pate.

Evidently a lot of folklore and superstition precedes this sensational find, and this will evidently trigger an onslaught of international interest.

The research is still in the preliminary stages and the Friends of Fort Jesus wish the team every success in

Unravelling the history of this coast and its marine heritage.

The Friends of Fort Jesus has four copies left of the book "Seventeen Letters To Tatham" which vividly describes the condition of the British troops in East Africa during the First World War and the disasters they faced.

Written by Ann Crichton-Harris, the book chronicles in vivid details the letters written by Temple Harris, a WWI surgeon, to his brother Tatham in India.

Anybody who wishes to purchase on of these last available copies can contact the undersigned directly or Kant's Stationers along Moi Avenue.

We apologise for some last minute changes to the advertised schedule due to un avoidable circumstances.

Although every effort is made to screen material that would satisfy everybody generally, we sometimes are left with short options.

We can only request you to bear with us in this regard.

The range of audio-visual presentation on Tuesday evenings will be enriched by acquisition of new viewing material in form of latest Dvds and newer VHS videos by July end. (KD).

BIRD WATCH NEWS

The trip by the Friends to Sagalla Lodge during the first weekend of March was amazingly refreshing with more than 50 species of birds noted by our own Ornithologist Marlene Reid, which I am sure has enthused many new Birders to take up this interesting hobby.

The vivid colours of the plumage and the plaintive notes of the more vocal species are still hovering in the minds of most of the party.

Bird Walk on 19 March: For once the tide was right for a "waders" walk so permission was obtained from La Farge for us to visit the Vipingo Quarry.

It was necessary to leave a little early from Ratna and I apologise for anyone who missed the walk.

I think I sent messages to all the regulars. Waders are very challenging to say the least so we picked up Samson from Haller Park so we had three "leaders".

I was counting on the waders being in the quarry, having come up from the beach as the tide comes in and fortunately (for me) that's where they were.

Hundreds and hundreds of them wheeling round us, settling and flying back up in silver waves.

Such a magnificent sight !

My old telescope helped us identify them for the walkers although one or two found it difficult to get these fast moving small mostly grey and white birds into focus.

Main species were Greater and Lesser Sand plovers, Ringed Plovers, Little Stints, smattering of Wood Sandpipers, Green-shanks, Grey Plovers and indigenous Three Banded Plover.

One seemingly lone Ruddy Turnstone which seemed to have become detached from his family and one elegant Caspian Plover.

Plenty of Barn Swallows were seen swooping overhead.

All these birds will be gone in the next week or two and the quarry will only echo to the sound of the excavators until October.

One group of Sand plovers were already mostly in breeding dress, all standing closely together and facing the same direction so probably already on migration.

Thanks to Sabena at La Farge for getting permission for us to enjoy this amazing spectacle. (MR).

NEW MEMBERS

FFJ welcomes new members:

Mr Warris Vianni, Mrs Maureen Walker, Mr Digby J. Green, Mr. and Mrs. M Strong, Jerry Brayton Khizzah, Mr. and Mrs. K. Karimbhai and Sue and Angus Leckie.

PAST EVENTS

Two planned talks had to be rescheduled due to unavoidable circumstances.

On 28th March, we showed a video about the birds and animals that inhabit the harsh frozen terrain of Arctic and Antarctic.

14th March: Video --- A place on Planet

This video was an informative piece about the rehabilitation of young and orphaned elephants and rhinos by the David Sheldrike Wildlife Trust.

It showed the deep trust and understanding between the foster human 'parents' and their adopted 'nearly human' wards.

11th April: Talk on Isambard Kingdom Brunel by Andrew P Burnard

Eng. Andrew Burnard gave an illustrated talk on the 19th century engineering genius I.K. Brunel.

It was extremely well researched and presented, looking at Brunel's life and work in relation to Victorian England, the Industrial Revolution, steam power and the large scale production of cast and wrought iron.

The talk featured many of the achievements and fascinating projects that the famed man undertook such as the Thames tunnel, steamships and landmark bridges, and also dwelt on the few flops.

FUTURE PROGRAMME

Tuesday 2nd May 2006 Talk - Jews In Kenya by Cynthia Salvadori.

This part of Africa was once considered a possible location for the creation of a state for the dislocated Jews from Europe.

Cynthia Salvadori, famous anthropologist and frequent guest speaker to the FFJ, recently researched and wrote a funded report on the history of the Jews in Kenya.

This talk shall touch on her research and findings on this interesting subject.

Saturday 6th May 2006 -Tree planting at the North Quarry.

Meet at Haller's Butterfly Park car park along Mombasa - Malindi highway, opposite Travellers Beach Hotel, at 4:00 p.m. Bring a picnic Tea for afterwards.

Tuesday 16th May 2006 - Screening of "Unlocking Da Vinci's Code - Mystery or Conspiracy ?"

This is an investigative documentary exploring the hidden meaning inside the art work of one of the greatest artists in history and secrets to riddles and clues within his great works.

The legacy linking Jesus Christ, Mary Magdalene and Da Vinci is tackled by historians, art critics and experts delving into the truth behind the claims by author Dan Brown in his book The Da Vinci Code.