Between Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti lies Olduvai Gorge – “The Cradle of Mankind”. Under the direction of Dr. Leaky, the gorge has yielded abundant fossil material dating back at least two million years and possibly much longer. The realms of prehistoric elephants, giant-horned sheep and enormous ostriches have been unearthed in this Stone Age site. In 1959 the remains of the Nutcracker Man, or “Zinjanthropus bosei”, whose skull is in the National Museum in Dar-es-Salaam, were discovered. Nearby is Laetoli, where the footprints of hominids were discovered by Mrs. Mary Leaky in 1979. To the north is the Oldonyo Lengai (Mountain of God), a living volcano. Around these sites of man’s origin teem millions of wild animals.
Overview
Tourists and visitors who are interested in history and archaeology can explore the Olduvai Gorge Museum, which is located near the excavation sites. The museum offers an informative display of geological and anthropological artifacts that have been discovered in the area. It also has a collection of research papers and photographs that showcase the natural and cultural history of the region. The Olduvai Gorge is a crucial site for the study of prehistory and human evolution. Its significance has gained international recognition, and it remains a location of interest for researchers, students, and culture enthusiasts from around the world.
