Situated in the middle of iconic Great Rift Valley at the heart of Ngorongoro conservation area and Serengeti national park is Olduvai Gorge. Mankind evolution evidence, and one of Tanzania’s amazing attractions. With a record million years of existence yet not losing its uniqueness.
It helps us understand facts about human evolution, production and the origin of the use of stone tools. This vertical narrow valley is approximately 29 feet deep, 30 miles long, and about 30 miles from Laetolil. One other unique area gifted with fossils
The word Olduvai Gorge is an accepted mistake from the word Oldupai Gorge; A Maasai word to mean “a place for wild sisal”, a native plant that sprawls through the entire area, approximately 25kms from Lake Masek and Ndutu. It engraves into Pleistocene lake bed sediments at 90m. At the side is another ravine which stems from mountain lemagrut, 8kms from the start; it lies at the water edge of a prehistoric lake, decorated with the sites of the ancient man and fossil evidence.
This place helps a researcher, photographer, student. Or anyone else to understand the existence of the very first human on earth, use of stone tools, hunting, and hominines. Animal remains, and gnaw marks, all indicate the existence of hominids. Hominine which intern affirms to the behavior and social interactions of humans till the present age.
Interestingly, Homo habilis; believed to be the first ancient human species to be discovered at the Olduvai Gorge about 2million years ago. Followed by the modern Parathropus and australopithecine at approximately 1.9million years ago. And Homo erectus at 1.3 million years ago is truly Unique. The most recent; Homo sapiens, recorded about 300,000years ago is believed to have existed at the gorge for approximately 17,000years.
The discovery of this unique attraction dates back in 1911 when the German archaeologist and Physician; Wilhelm kattwinkel visited East Africa to investigate the outbreak of sleeping sickness. Upon arriving at Olduvai gorge, his attention was taken up by the fossil bones of a dead three-horned horse that he picked and took for himself; an investigation that inspired many, thus imploring the German geologists Hans Reck to lead a group of researchers to the place to have a deeper understanding of these ancient Bones in 1913.
He discovered hominin remains which he radiocarbon dated to 17,000BP. Forward to the end of the world war; when the British brought Tanzania into their control, Leakey Louis traveled to Berlin to check on the fossils.
Forward to 1935; Mary Leakey visited Olduvai Gorge; where she joined Percy Edward and Louis in the discovery and excavation of the hominin fossils. Mary discovered the skull of Zinjanthropus, faunal remains, and several stone tools. 1960, Jonathan; Leakey’s son also found out some mandibles which confirmed the type of specimen of Homo habilis
While bird watching, Louis; born generally in 1903 often spotted prehistoric tools. These inspired him to go for fossil –finding expedition in a country known as Tanzania(East Africa’s largest country). Thus sparking his interest of uncovering Human origin.
Five layers of deposition at the gorge were discovered by Reck who called them beds. Bed II, Bed III, Bed IV, Bed V, Masek beds, and bed I which is the lowest and the oldest them all. His friends Hey and the entire team redesigned. Renamed, and put more elaboration on the beds to put straight the history and understanding of the discovery
A point which further connects to Serengeti national park and Ngorongoro conservation area. The same route used by tourists as they head for hiking, game viewing, birding, cultural adventure, and wildlife viewing among others. Nicholas Toth, Jackson Njau, and Kathy Schick erected this in memory recognition of its significance. It consists of two large-scale replicas of the skulls. Right at the top of the base with some information inscribed on it. The other attraction found here includes the Museum. With all the historical fossils among others; it is one of the largest fossils in Africa. It offers education opportunities to visitors about the fossils and all around the place.
Basically, Olduvai Gorge; the evidence of man’s existence. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Africa; in Tanzania. It perfectly suits all travelers to Tanzania for any purpose. In addition to game viewing, history, research. Or wildlife safari at either Serengeti or Ngorongoro crater.