Port Dunford

Port Dunford is an archaeological site near Burgabo on the southern Somali coast. The excavation site contains the remains of square buildings with vaulted structures, pillar tombs, and other structures positioned near the mouth of the Burgabo River.

The site dates back to the 1st century and served as an important trading port on the East African coast. Excavations in 1913 uncovered coins from the 3rd century BCE through the 4th century CE, revealing extensive trade connections across distant regions.

The archaeological remains show pillar tombs that reflect construction methods and burial practices of ancient coastal communities in eastern Africa. Visitors can still see today how these structures reveal established trade networks and local building knowledge.

The site is located in a remote area and requires careful travel planning. Visiting on foot or with off-road vehicles makes sense, as only basic paths and rough roads connect this region to surrounding areas.

The site is identified with the ancient emporium of Nikon, mentioned in a famous Roman maritime guidebook from the 1st century. This connection demonstrates how well integrated this trading port was with the Mediterranean and beyond at that time.