Trade Connections Research Articles

Пути христианизации Скандинавии. IX–X века

Prior to the baptism of the rulers of Scandinavian countries and introduction of Christianity as an official religion, Scandinavians for several centuries familiarized themselves with Christian ideas and practices, on the one hand, in the course of trade connections, Viking expeditions, service as mercenaries in Western and Eastern Europe and, on the other hand, through missions from Germany and England. Contrary to traditional view that Christian missions, especially those launched from Hamburg-Bremen Archdiocese, played the dominant role in the process of Christianization of Scandinavia, recent studies give them an insignificant place since their results (which are understood as the baptism of rulers and nobles) are ‘negligible’. Representatives of both trends rely mostly on the information of written sources. An important, though yet understudied and ungeneralized source on the problems of ‘Christianization before Christianization’ are archaeological materials that can throw light on the time, intensity, and forms of the penetration of Christianity to the North. The purpose of this article is an attempt to collect at least some of the relevant archaeological materials and suggest their preliminary interpretation in comparison with the information from written sources. The main categories of possible evidence in material culture are burial customs, artifacts, and church construction. However, the interpretation of both single burials and finds like crosses or cruciform pendants as Christian is ambiguous in most cases. In the context of the discussed problem, the materials of large necropolis, first and foremost in Birka, are best studied at the moment, as well as the construction of early churches preceding stone buildings of the 12th an 13th centuries. These materials show that burials that can be interpreted as Christian and churches (built by missionaries or Christian neophytes) concentrate in the areas of intensive missionary activities. It testifies its productiveness in dissemination of Christian ideas in Scandinavia in the 9th and 10th centuries. Along with churches built by missioners in the largest trade centers like Birka, Hedeby, and Ribe, houses intended for divine service, usually rather small in size, were erected by recently baptizes nobles or stórbondir on their farms.

Nepal and China Trade Relations

Because landlocked countries can only access sea ports through neighbors, their economies are heavily influenced by them. A nation’s economy will grow slowly without strong trade. A country must have solid diplomatic relations with its neighbors in a globalizing globe. Many studies have examined commerce with India, but few with China. The Nepal-China commercial relationship is the topic of this study. From the 5th century to present, Nepal and China have cooperated. This relationship has grown. This report examines Nepal-China trade opportunities and difficulties. Trade connections and import-export trade between these countries are the focus of this study. The analysis covers 2007/08 to 2016/17 trade volumes between these countries. The trade imbalance expanded from 228 million to 1 billion between 2007/08 to 2016/17, highlighting the significant difference between countries. The findings show Nepal has significant trade potential in agriculture, hydroelectricity, and banking sectors, but its economy, infrastructure, and political instability provide hurdles. Nepal is paving the path to prosperity with new trade agreements and existing and proposed activities with China.

Uncovering the Ancient Cultural Interactions and Ties between Nāgarjunakoṇḍa and Sri Lanka

This research focuses into the historical and cultural relations between Nāgarjunakoṇḍa and Sri Lanka during ancient times. The primary objective of this study is to elucidate the depth and significance of these cultural interactions, exploring their influence on art, architecture, religion, trade, and language. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive examination of historical records, archaeological findings, and scholarly literature has been conducted. Methodologically, this research relies on a multidisciplinary approach, integrating data from diverse sources to provide a holistic understanding of the ancient ties between Nāgarjunakoṇḍa and Sri Lanka. The research draws from ancient texts, inscriptions, archaeological excavations, and comparative analyses of art and architecture. The key findings of this study reveal that there was a cultural exchange between Nāgarjunakoṇḍa and Sri Lanka. Buddhism played a central role in facilitating these exchanges, leading to the transmission of religious teachings, texts, and artifacts. Architectural styles, artistic motifs, and trade connections were shared, leaving a lasting imprint on both regions. In conclusion, the cultural relations between Nāgarjunakoṇḍa and Sri Lanka during ancient times were profound and enduring. The findings underscore the importance of such historical interactions in shaping the cultural and religious landscapes of both regions. The lessons learned from these ancient ties can inform contemporary intercultural relations and cooperation. This research offers insights into the interconnectedness of societies in the past and highlights the value of preserving and studying our shared cultural heritage.

Do Geopolitical Risks Impact Trade Patterns in Latin America?

ABSTRACT The rapid rise of China as a major economic power, characterized by its expanding global trade and financial connections, has significantly heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly with the US. The primary objective of this study is to examine the ramifications of such geopolitical risks (GPR) on trading patterns within Latin America, employing a gravity model. The selection of Latin America stems from its ongoing transformation in power dynamics, with China emerging as the second largest partner, posing substantial competition to the US, which has historically been the region’s primary trading partner. This region has also emerged as an attractive investment and trade destination with abundant natural resources and a growing middle class. By focusing on seven of the largest economies in Latin America – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela – from 2000 to 2020, our study yields valuable insights into the influence of GPR on trade dynamics. The findings underscore the overall detrimental impact of GPR on trade, with a disproportionately adverse effect on imports. This study represents a significant contribution by bridging existing gaps in the literature, particularly within the underexplored context of Latin America, while providing crucial guidance for policy formulation and informing future research endeavours.

Modern-day MSR and BRI: challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh’s maritime infrastructure development

ABSTRACT Bangladesh was one of the six BRI corridors until it was recently included in the proposed Bangladesh–China–India–Myanmar route (BCIM). China plans to invest $4 trillion in the coming decades on OBOR-related projects and asserts that BRI & Maritime Silk Route (MSR) are merely economic initiatives. It entails China’s involvement with the nations situated along the MSR in order to improve sea trade connections with its MSR partners via the development of their marine infrastructure and the establishment of economic-industrial zones in their hinterlands. If its policies are well-coordinated, Bangladesh has the ability to attract a significant amount of this investment. This paper consists of three parts: the first part discusses how the OBOR has become one of the most important trade routes in the world and has the potential to change the social, cultural and economic scenario of the Eurasian region and the world; the second part explains how the BRI and the twenty-first-century maritime silk route converge at the coast of Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal, thereby enhancing her geo-political significance; Third part elaborates the growing status of Bangladesh being apex country of the bay and what are the prospects and challenges she has.

International Economic Cooperation and Geopolitical Changes under the Belt and Road Initiative

This paper comprehensively analyzes how China's Belt and Road Initiative reshapes international economic cooperation and geopolitical patterns on a global scale. Initially, the paper introduces the background, objectives, and key components of the Belt and Road Initiative, elucidating its role in promoting transnational infrastructure development, enhancing trade connections, and fostering regional economic integration. Subsequently, the article meticulously examines the direct impacts of the initiative on the economic development of participating countries, including increased infrastructure investment, trade facilitation, and industrial upgrading. Further, the paper delves into how the Belt and Road Initiative influences the global economic landscape, particularly its effects in Asia, Africa, and Europe. This includes promoting regional economic integration through infrastructure construction and economic cooperation, as well as strengthening China's economic ties with participating countries. Simultaneously, the paper explores how such economic cooperation deepens political relationships between China and participating nations and the impact of these relationships on the international political framework. Finally, the paper analyzes the responses of other major powers, especially the United States and the European Union, to the Belt and Road Initiative and their geopolitical considerations. This encompasses the reasons for their support or opposition to the initiative, and how these powers respond to China's expanding influence through their policies and initiatives. The article concludes with a projection of the future trends and potential international impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in the current international political and economic context.

Design and Construction of a Website-Based Online Sales Information System for Cake Products (Case Study: Vavivegga Business House, Halong)

Sales via the internet network can easily make trade connections without any access time limitations and can increase the number or turnover of sales, and can increase the area of marketing locations or product sales accurately. The aim of this research is to design an online sales information system for the Vavivegga business house in order to expand the business that has been created for a long time and to help make the business known to all in the community. Making web applications refers to the RAD Method. The results obtained from the design and development of a website-based online sales information system at the Vavivegga business house can help consumers see the cake products that are made without having to come to the business location, besides making it easier for consumers who want to place orders

Simulation study on the effect of differentiated carbon tax adjustment on CO2 emissions reduction in China from the perspective of carbon footprint

The carbon tax is an efficient environmental and economic method for lowering CO2 emissions, and effective carbon taxes should not only aim to reduce CO2 emissions but also consider their impact on socio-economic and resource utilization. The carbon footprint reflects actual carbon emissions and trade connections between sectors, providing a reference for levying carbon taxes on different sectors and examining their impact on the economy. This study utilizes the 2017 non-competitive input-output table of China and CO2 emissions and water consumption data from 27 sectors. Firstly, the research calculates carbon and water footprints of each sector through input-output analysis. Then, utilizing the input-output price model, the article compares the effect of differentiated carbon taxes on CO2 emissions and GDP across sectors in China, examining both direct carbon emissions and carbon footprint. Lastly, the survey constructs a carbon tax optimization model, aiming to maximize carbon and water footprint reduction while minimizing reduction in labor compensation. The key findings are: (1) Different sectors display varying characteristics in terms of direct carbon emissions and carbon footprints. 19 sectors exhibit higher direct carbon emissions than carbon footprints, while 8 sectors show the opposite. (2) Implementing carbon taxes on all sectors in China based on direct carbon emissions and carbon footprints effectively reduces CO2 emissions. However, at the same tax revenue, a reduction of 10^4 yuan in GDP leads to a further decrease of 0.47 × 10^6 tons of CO2 emissions from the carbon footprint perspective compared to direct carbon emissions. (3) In the optimal differentiated carbon tax plan based on carbon footprints, water production sector bears the highest carbon tax at 5.45 yuan/ton, while electricity production sector bears the lowest at 0.1 yuan/ton. This plan declines CO2 emissions by 7.82% and water consumption by 6.21%, but also results in a 0.02% decrease in GDP. The research findings recommend that sectoral differentiated carbon taxes consider economic development and resource impacts. Implementing refund policies to compensate for the economic losses caused by carbon taxes is essential, while also conserving resources and reducing CO2 emissions. These recommendations provide valuable guidance for the future introduction and implementation of differentiated carbon tax policies.

Про західнобалтські типи фібул з могильника Острів

The article is devoted to the research of two types of brooches from the Ostriv burial ground in Porossia (Middle Dnipro River region). The morphological characteristics of the objects, the type and chronological attribution and the accompanying archaeological context are considered. In general, seven penannular brooches with connected star-shaped terminals and four ring brooches with ribbed bows were discovered during the first seven years of research at the Ostriv burial ground. All the brooches were recorded in female burials, except two items found in the cultural layer and one brooch with a controversial archaeological context. Together, they make up 23 % of all the clasps found at the territory of the cemetery or 27 % of the brooches discovered in the burial complexes of the necropolis. These types of ancient pins now make up 52 % of women’s burials with brooches. Penannular brooches with connected star-shaped terminals can be divided into two subtypes — larger ones with seven transverse ribs and surface coating with white metal, and slightly smaller ones with six ribs. The damaged brooch from the burial no. 100 stands out for its massiveness and could contain eight or nine decorative ribs, but the item is fragmented, which does not allow clarifying its specific features. Brooches with ribbed bows can also be divided into two subtypes: two items are larger and have twelve decorative ribs on their surface, and two more specimens are slightly smaller and contain seven transverse ribs on the front side. Among the latter two variants can be distinguished — with a concave semicircular and a simple semicircular section of the case. Significantly, the penannular brooch with connected star-shaped terminals and the brooch with ribbed bows with a surface coating of white metal were found in rich burials with neck-rings of the Totenkrone type. Therefore, it is possible to emphasise the probable connection between the objects, the production of which was more time-consuming, with the social position of the deceased during their lifetime, and probably with the chronological factor. Furthermore, only these two types of fibulae among all the categories of jewellery and clothing elements discovered at this necropolis now reliably testify to the long-term habitation and high-quality repair of the objects. In addition, the general features of the repair do not differ from technological receptions within the mother regions of migrants. In conclusion, penannular brooches with connected star-shaped terminals and brooches with ribbed bows had been widespread in the Baltic region during the 11th—12th centuries. However, they were most typical for the population of the South-East Baltic, the medieval Prussians, from whose area they spread among other Baltic, Finnish and Scandinavian people due to trade connections and/or resettlement of groups or individuals within the region (migration of warriors, marriages, etc.). Finally, these types of brooches in the absolute majority of cases are found in the burials of men, mainly in two-tiered cremation burials with a horse and weapons in burial complexes on the territory of the Sambi Peninsula and its adjacent territories. Sometimes such items occur in women’s and children’s burials outside the Prussian area, but they are still more numerous in men’s complexes. Such a contrast of the Ostriv burial ground with synchronous Baltic burial sites seems very interesting, however, conducting a detailed comparative study of the costumes of representatives of the Baltic enclave in Porossia and the female population of the Sambia Peninsula is extremely problematic. The reason is almost absent separated women burials of the 8—13th centuries in the range of the Prussians, because of their dependent social position in this tribe. Thus, it is still impossible to establish whether the materials of the Ostriv burial ground reflect (at least partially) the traditions of medieval Prussian women’s clothing, or whether the composition of the costume underwent significant changes due to migration. The location of these types of brooches in burial complexes in most cases indicates their direct use in a costume to fasten outer clothing — woollen cloaks or capes. However, other provisions are also recorded, which may be related to this population’s peculiarities of burial practices.

Sustainable development and the environment in EU and Japanese free trade agreements: embedding anthropocentric narratives

ABSTRACT New generation’ free trade agreements now include ‘Trade and Sustainable Development’ (TSD) chapters designed to improve environmental provisions within overall trading arrangements. The wide-ranging European Union (EU)-Japan agreement of 2018 represents the culmination of a trend towards the greater inclusion of such TSD elements, and, as it covers one-third of global GDP, the significance of this agreement for trading relations cannot be understated. Comparing it with other agreements involving Japan and the EU, I argue that greater attention to sustainable development in trade connections, notwithstanding tangible significant environmental improvements, further embeds an anthropocentric narrative of trade-environment linkages and supports a ‘win–win’ linkage between enhancing economic growth and ensuring environmental protections. Through an eco-centric critique, I seek to challenge the fundamental anthropocentric assumptions underpinning such inclusions and explore the ways in which the language of environmental protection and climate change has been depoliticised by a particular framing of sustainable development.

Spatial Frameworks of Comparison: Planning Western India’s Free Ports and Free Trade Zones, 1830s–1980s

ABSTRACT Ports offer key vantage points from which to write a global history, as their trade connects people, goods, and capital to far reaching parts of the world. Instead of focusing on trade connections, this article proposes studying the spatial frameworks of comparison in free port and free zone planning. Using reports from ports, ministries, and chambers of commerce, this article analyses these shifting frameworks for comparison in Bombay’s port planning from the 1830s to the 1980s. Port planners, merchants, and ministry experts placed these ports and zones within shifting spatial frameworks, which determined which zones or ports could and could not be compared. These comparisons informed policy changes. Uncovering India’s free port and zone debates reveals the plurality of concepts and policy models, not a single original zone that has spread around the world. This article asks how these actors understood the world, its changing spatial formats, and the role of free ports or free zones in these constellations.

Low optimal fisheries yield creates challenges for sustainability in a climate refugia

AbstractReducing resource depletion and promoting ecosystem‐based management are considered key climate change adaptation policies. Therefore, the resource status of an identified climate refugia in a semi‐enclosed bay on the Kenya–Tanzania border was evaluated for sustainability. Both fisheries stock and catch assessment methods found low production and excess effort. Stock recovery in closures (up to 45 years) determined the best‐fit r and K values, which established a maximum sustainable production (MSY) of 2.98 ± 0.45 (SEM) tons/km2/year. Stock estimates in the bays' fishing grounds indicated that biomass was below the MSY and predicted to produce 1.8 ± 1.0 (SEM) or 1.1 ton/km2/year below the optimal MSY. However, landed fish at five studied fishing villages varied greatly from 0.22 to 2.9 tons/km2/year. MSY in the refugia was therefore considerably lower than estimates in nearby ocean‐exposed locations, which has been estimated at 5–7 tons/km2/year. Therefore, low to modest capture rates of fish will be required to allow the recovery needed to achieve sustainability and restore the refugia's ecology. The refugia's highest stocks and near‐MSY yields were captured in the national reserve. Therefore, broader implementation of the reserve's gear‐restriction policies should restore fisheries. High spatial variability in yield patterns indicate interactions between fisheries management, compliance, trade connections, and governance. In climate refugia, reducing cumulative impacts will require knowing and managing for lower fisheries production limits.

Human mobility on Cancun Island during the Late Postclassic: Intra- and inter-site demographic interactions.

Residential mobility in Prehispanic Mesoamerica is of paramount importance in bioarchaeology to determine the "how, where and why" people established biological, political and economic networks. The goal of this paper is to assess the presence of non-local people on the East Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula during the Late Postclassic (AD 1200-1540), and how they might have been perceived by the local Maya people. We analyze the presence, origin and mortuary distribution of 50 individuals based on their dental and bone 87Sr/86Sr signatures in the "urban" assemblage constituted by the archaeological sites known as El Rey and San Miguelito on Isla Cancun. Both sites present a strontium ratio "plateau" between 0.7091 and 0.7092, which is considered the local signature. Seven individuals, ranging in age from 5 years old to adulthood, were detected as potentially non-local, and originating from a wide range of regions both near and distant to Isla Cancun. Funerary patterns, burial location, and dietary data do not indicate these people were treated differently from the rest of the population, at least at the moment of death. This suggests that these non-locals might not have been perceived as "foreigners" and that they had integrated into the local community. Such mobility and cultural integration could have motivated by multiple factors, including economic and trade connections, or kinship relationships.

The decomposition of tourism demand and tourism receipts

We examine the effect of the decomposition of tourist demand on tourism receipts. We find that tourists from OECD economies or from countries that have strong trade connections with the host economy tend to spend more money in emerging economies. However, tourists from countries that have sociocultural or geographic linkages, such as sharing the same border, having the same religion or language, or have the same ethnicity as those in the host country, tend to spend less money.

Global trade network patterns are coupled to fisheries sustainability.

The rapid development of seafood trade networks alongside the decline in biomass of many marine populations raises important questions about the role of global trade in fisheries sustainability. Mounting empirical and theoretical evidence shows the importance of trade development on commercially exploited species. However, there is limited understanding of how the development of trade networks, such as differences in connectivity and duration, affects fisheries sustainability. In a global analysis of over 400,000 bilateral trade flows and stock status estimates for 876 exploited fish and marine invertebrates from 223 territories, we reveal patterns between seafood trade network indicators and fisheries sustainability using a dynamic panel regression analysis. We found that fragmented networks with strong connectivity within a group of countries and weaker links between those groups (modularity) are associated with higher relative biomass. From 1995 to 2015, modularity fluctuated, and the number of trade connections (degree) increased. Unlike previous studies, we found no relationship between the number or duration of trade connections and fisheries sustainability. Our results highlight the need to jointly investigate fisheries and trade. Improved coordination and partnerships between fisheries authorities and trade organizations present opportunities to foster more sustainable fisheries.

Biomolecular characterization of 3500-year-old ancient Egyptian mummification balms from the Valley of the Kings

Ancient Egyptian mummification was practiced for nearly 4000 years as a key feature of some of the most complex mortuary practices documented in the archaeological record. Embalming, the preservation of the body and organs of the deceased for the afterlife, was a central component of the Egyptian mummification process. Here, we combine GC–MS, HT-GC–MS, and LC–MS/MS analyses to examine mummification balms excavated more than a century ago by Howard Carter from Tomb KV42 in the Valley of the Kings. Balm residues were scraped from now empty canopic jars that once contained the mummified organs of the noble lady Senetnay, dating to the 18th dynasty, ca. 1450 BCE. Our analysis revealed balms consisting of beeswax, plant oil, fats, bitumen, Pinaceae resins, a balsamic substance, and dammar or Pistacia tree resin. These are the richest, most complex balms yet identified for this early time period and they shed light on balm ingredients for which there is limited information in Egyptian textual sources. They highlight both the exceptional status of Senetnay and the myriad trade connections of the Egyptians in the 2nd millennium BCE. They further illustrate the excellent preservation possible even for organic remains long removed from their original archaeological context.

Cultural and Trade Interaction between Champa and India: A Historical Analysis

In the history of humankind, maritime economic and trade connections always play an important role in development. The sea trade routes contributed part towards the development of cultures, diplomatic ties, and cooperation between nations. In Asia, the Champa maritime space used to be very significant for the connection of Southeast Asia with the markets in Northeast Asia and Southwest Asia. As a group of islands in Central Vietnam, the Cham Islands (Vietnamese: Cù Lao Chàm) kept an extremely significant position in the Southeast Asian coastal trade route. At the same time, it had a close linkage with other sea routes running across Insular Southeast Asia. Over many centuries, the Cham Islands were known as an outport of the port town by the estuary of the great kingdom of Champa, which was an extremely important trade port of the maritime polity of Champa. Using an interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach, the paper focuses on analysing the role and position of the Cham Islands in the East Asian trade and transportation networks, highlighting the regional and inter-regional linkage, describing the characteristics of the Cham Islands as an outport, an island port, and a multi- functional port, and interpreting changes in the role and functions of the Cham Islands during the maritime history of the kingdom of Champa and the period under the reign of the Nguyen lords in Đàng Trong (lit. Inner land, the region in Central to South Vietnam, which was later enlarged to become Cochinchina) from the 16th to the 18th century.

Shells of marine gastropod mollusks from cultural layers and the necropolis of Tauric Chersonese as tracers of trade and cultural connections in ancient times

Shells of marine gastropod mollusks from cultural layers and the necropolis of Tauric Chersonese as tracers of trade and cultural connections in ancient times

The petition of a Qazaq official, Turdybek Syrtanov: an introduction to the Qazaq life strategies in the tsarist colonial era

On example of the biography of Turdybek (Turlybek) Syrtanov (1860–1906), an interpreter and translator under the Semirechye regional administration, the article deals with the formation of a new Qazaq social group of officials in the service of the Russian colonial apparatus. The establishment of the Russian colonial regime in Qazaq Zhetysu (Semirechye) and the administrative integration of Qazaq territories into the Russian Empire had transformed Qazaq political and social institutions so that Qazaq elites had to rethink their political functions. The representatives of the former Qazaq nobility could now occupy only lower elected positions in the new administrative units, managing volosts and auls. At the level of regions and districts there were no Qazaqs. In such circumstances, the position of volostnoy upravitel’ (volost ruler) allowing certain lineages to enrich themselves, became the main source of power, among the Qazaqs. To gain and retain this power for themselves and their offspring, the volost rulers used financial resources, trade, and personal connections with the colonial administration. The biography of Turdybek Syrtanov demonstrates a different way of adaptation to the new colonial context. In the Matay-Qaptagay (Arasan) Volost of the Kapal District of the Semirechye Region, the leading role belonged to the qydyrali lineage of the matay-qaptagay clan of the nayman tribe of the Middle Zhuz. The representatives of this lineage dominated in the area and monopolized the elective position of volostnoy upravitel’. The qulshan lineage of the same matay-qaptagay clan retained only the functions of biys in their own administrative aul. The head of the Qulshans. Syrttan Bokin (1837?–1916) sent his two eldest sons, Turdybek and Barlybek (1866–1914), to a Russian school in Kapal and then to a gymnasium in Verny. The article examines the motives encouraging the Qazaqs to send their children to Russian schools and making them enter the public service. The main document analyzed in the article is the petition of Turdybek Syrtanov dated May 18, 1902, which is preserved in the Central State Archive of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The document shows the Qazaqs' perception of their own world and its representation for the Russian administration. At the end of the article, the document commented by the author is reproduced in full.

Transoceanic Interconnectivities Between India- Tanzania Coastal Communities from the Antiquity to Contemporaries: The Archaeologic Perspectives from the Ancient Maritime Trade Connections via the Indian Ocean

The currently available archaeological and historical records indicate that since the prehistoric times, India and Tanzania shared a very long antiquity in terms of human civilization through the Indian Ocean maritime trade especially during the Neolithic period in aspects such as maritime trade links, ancient technology transfer, and intermarriages, expressly in monumental built heritage assets along the coast of the Indian Ocean. Outstandingly, the East African coast and its offshore islands preserve a lot of ancient remnants of built heritage assets, religious and symbolic entities, and socio-cultural traditions. Archaeologically, Swahili culture, which is one of the most powerful African civilizations along the coastal towns and littoral regions in East Africa is to some extent predisposed and inspired by Indian elements of early civilizations. The prehistoric contacts between the Indian Ocean communities of East Africa and Indian subcontinent have left some legacies in terms of language, crop and animal domestication, trade, architecture, and intermarriage. Some of these cultural elements are clearly visible in the forms of a spectacular series of historic stone towns along the coast and littoral regions of Tanzania for instance, especially ones that contain ruins of houses, mosques, and tombs built of coral limestones are typically Indian heritage inspired, which significantly influenced coastal and littoral societal socio-cultural developments in Tanzania.