Pre-Historic Sites
Olduvai George
Olduvai George Site Tanzania East Africa
Olduvai George is one of the most significant Pre-Historic and Paleontological sites. It is
often called cradle of human kind. It has provided crucial evidence for understanding
human evolution, tool making, and early hominian behaviour. Olduvai George is located
in Northern Tanzania within the great Rift Valley. It is abut 48km long 90m deep, formed
by erosion, exposing layers of sediments deposited over million of years. The site first
come to interdirectional prominence through the work of Louis Leakey and Mary Leakey
in the year 1930-1960. Their discoveries revolutionised knowledge of early human
evolution, later their son Richard Leakey and others continued the research.
Important Fossils Found During Olduvai George
Olduvai George has yelldev fossil remains of several hominian species.
I. Australopithecus Boisei (Zinijanthropus Boisei) – discovered by Mary Leakey in
1959 (famously called nutcracker man)
II. Homo habilius – found in the 1960 considered is one of the earliest members of
our Genus and often linked to it the earliest stone tools.
III. Homo Erectus – later evidence suggest their presence in the Olduvai George.
These remains span from about 2 million years ago to 15 thousand years.
Stone Tools used in Olduvai George
Olduvai George is the site of olduvian tool industry (bout 2.6- 1.7 million). Tools were
simple choppers, flakes, used for cutting, scraping and breaking bones. Evidence of
more advance tools (Hand Axes, Cleavers) also exists and is associated to Homo
erectus. This shows the progression of technology in early human history.
Evidence of Lifestyle in Olduvai George
Fossilised animal bones shows cut marks from tools, suggesting meat eating and
scavenging. Presence of bone accumulation hints at social organization and communal
living. Plant remains and pollen analysis suggest changes in environment fro woodland
to grassland influencing human evolution.
Importance of Olduvai George
I. Human Evolution : provided direct fossil evidence linking early hominims with
tool use and environmental adaptation.
II. Cultural Evolution : it showed the earliest evidence of technology (Olduvian -
Acheulean) .
Olduvai George
Olduvai George Site Tanzania East Africa
Olduvai George is one of the most significant Pre-Historic and Paleontological sites. It is
often called cradle of human kind. It has provided crucial evidence for understanding
human evolution, tool making, and early hominian behaviour. Olduvai George is located
in Northern Tanzania within the great Rift Valley. It is abut 48km long 90m deep, formed
by erosion, exposing layers of sediments deposited over million of years. The site first
come to interdirectional prominence through the work of Louis Leakey and Mary Leakey
in the year 1930-1960. Their discoveries revolutionised knowledge of early human
evolution, later their son Richard Leakey and others continued the research.
Important Fossils Found During Olduvai George
Olduvai George has yelldev fossil remains of several hominian species.
I. Australopithecus Boisei (Zinijanthropus Boisei) – discovered by Mary Leakey in
1959 (famously called nutcracker man)
II. Homo habilius – found in the 1960 considered is one of the earliest members of
our Genus and often linked to it the earliest stone tools.
III. Homo Erectus – later evidence suggest their presence in the Olduvai George.
These remains span from about 2 million years ago to 15 thousand years.
Stone Tools used in Olduvai George
Olduvai George is the site of olduvian tool industry (bout 2.6- 1.7 million). Tools were
simple choppers, flakes, used for cutting, scraping and breaking bones. Evidence of
more advance tools (Hand Axes, Cleavers) also exists and is associated to Homo
erectus. This shows the progression of technology in early human history.
Evidence of Lifestyle in Olduvai George
Fossilised animal bones shows cut marks from tools, suggesting meat eating and
scavenging. Presence of bone accumulation hints at social organization and communal
living. Plant remains and pollen analysis suggest changes in environment fro woodland
to grassland influencing human evolution.
Importance of Olduvai George
I. Human Evolution : provided direct fossil evidence linking early hominims with
tool use and environmental adaptation.
II. Cultural Evolution : it showed the earliest evidence of technology (Olduvian -
Acheulean) .
