17/01/2021
The stone tools uncovered belong to the “culture” archaeologists identify as the Oldowan. This is a landmark representing early humans that interacted with their environment in novel ways, for example, by dietary innovations combining meat and plants. In East Africa, the Oldowan started about 2.6 million years ago.
The team from Canada and Tanzania worked closely with Maasai scholars and communities when excavating the site. The research group employed a large group of participants, male and female, selected by the local community. And in addition to community outreach in the national language, Swahili, they are delivering college education opportunities for two Maasai scholars interested in archaeology and heritage, along with several other Tanzanians.
The concentration of stone tools and animal fossils was evidence both humans and fauna gathered around water sources in Olduvai Gorge