place / source-aware atlas record

Rhapta

A city and trading port on the east coast of Africa, mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and other sources. Probably to be located in the area south of modern Dar es-Salaam, in or around the Rufiji Delta and Mafia archipelago (Tanzania). Rhapta's location has not been archaeologically verified, but monumental architecture identified in 2016 off the north coast of Mafia island is a strong candidate.