Olduvai Gorge 1969


Olduvai Gorge is a steep sided ravine, part of the Great Rift Valley, which stretches along eastern Africa. Olduvai is in the eastern Serengeti Plains, northern Tanzania, east Africa.

Excavations since the 1950's and 1960's have located some of the earliest remains of fossil hominids at Olduvai. Taken in 1969, these photographs have great archival value.

West from the JK sites.
West from the JK sites


Excavation in January, 1969.
Excavation in January, 1969.



Gorge from Ngorongoro.
Gorge from Ngorongoro.


Northwest of the JK sites.
Northwest of the JK sites.



Site DKI, the Stone Circle.


Zinjanthropus- Site FLK
Zinjanthropus- Site FLK


Excavators working in Olduvai have found skeletal remains of a number of ancient hominds - Homo habilis, Zinjanthropus, Homo erectus and Australopithecus Boisei. Campsites and what is believed to be a butchery site and a loosely built circle of lava blocks was found, suggesting that crude shelters were formed here as well.


Hominid site, downstream of site DKI, Bed I
Hominid site, downstream of site DKI, Bed I



Homo Habilis at site MNK.
Homo Habilis at site MNK.


The Hut Circle at Site DKI, Bed I
The Hut Circle at Site DKI, Bed I


Exposed deposits are rich in fossil fauna – ancient giraffe, elephants, hippos and other animals. The deposits also contain many hominid remains and tools made by early hominids - items belonging to the oldest of stone tool technologies, Olduwan and Acheulean.


Fossilized Giraffe Skull at Site MNK II
Fossilized Giraffe Skull at Site MNK II




Kasuli Lili holding a Chopper Tool at Bed I
Kasuli Lili holding a Chopper Tool at Bed I



Fossil mandible concretion, characteristic of FLK
Fossil mandible concretion, characteristic of FLK.


A bone pile at camp.
A bone pile at camp.


Kasuli Lili with fossil at site MNK
Kasuli Lili with fossil at site MNK.
Links on Human Evolution.

Institute of Human Origins, Arizona State University
 Excellent site on many aspects of hominid evolution and the activities of the IHO.

National Center for Science Education
Defending the Teaching of Evolution in the Public Schools

Scientific American article on Olduvai excavations.