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Olduvai Gorge landscape, Tanzania C015 / 6429
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Olduvai Gorge landscape, Tanzania C015 / 6429
Olduvai Gorge landscape, Tanzania. This gorge (also called Oldupai Gorge) is famous for the fossils discovered here of extinct hominins that form part of the human evolutionary tree. It is sometimes called The Cradle of Mankind. The gorge was formed as a river eroded its way through volcanic ash deposited millions of years ago on the shores of a large lake. The erosion revealed the strata (rock layers) in the walls of the gorge. Fossils discovered here include those of Paranthropus boisei, Homo habilis, and Homo erectus. These discoveries were pioneered by Louis Leakey and Mary Nicol (later Leakey) in the 1930s and 1950s
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Media ID 9208915
© JAVIER TRUEBA/MSF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Africa African Bush Earth Sciences Eroded Erosion Fossil Human Fossil Man Geological Horizon Human Evolution Layer Layers Olduvai Olduvai Gorge Palaeoanthropological Palaeoanthropology Paleoanthropological Pleistocene Prehistoric Prehistory Rock Rocks Rocky Strata Stratum Tanzania Tanzanian Palaeontology
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the breathtaking landscape of Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, also known as Oldupai Gorge. Renowned for its significant contribution to our understanding of human evolution, this gorge has earned the title "The Cradle of Mankind". The image captures the rocky terrain and natural environment that holds a rich historical and geological significance. Formed over millions of years, this awe-inspiring gorge was carved by a river eroding through volcanic ash layers deposited on the shores of an ancient lake. As erosion took place, it unveiled the remarkable strata or rock layers lining the walls of the gorge. These stratified rocks have yielded numerous fossils belonging to extinct hominins such as Paranthropus boisei, Homo habilis, and Homo erectus. The pioneering work conducted by Louis Leakey and Mary Nicol (later Leakey) during the 1930s and 1950s played a crucial role in unearthing these invaluable fossils. Their discoveries revolutionized paleoanthropology and shed light on our evolutionary history. In this photograph captured by JAVIER TRUEBA/MSF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, we witness nature's artistry at its finest – from eroded landscapes to layered rocks that hold secrets dating back thousands of years. It serves as a testament to Earth's profound history while reminding us how far we've come in unraveling our own origins.
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