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Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania C015 / 6430
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Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania C015 / 6430
Olduvai Gorge, 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 9208795
© JAVIER TRUEBA/MSF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Africa African Canyon Earth Sciences Eroded Erosion Fossil Human Fossil Man Geological Gorge Hill Hills Human Evolution Layer Layers Olduvai Olduvai Gorge Palaeoanthropological Palaeoanthropology Paleoanthropological Pleistocene Prehistoric Prehistory River Rock Rocks Rocky Strata Stratum Tanzania Tanzanian Valley Palaeontology
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This print captures the breathtaking beauty and historical significance of Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Also known as Oldupai Gorge, this natural wonder has earned its reputation as "The Cradle of Mankind" due to the remarkable fossils discovered here that shed light on our human evolutionary tree. Formed over millions of years, this gorge was carved by a river that eroded through layers of volcanic ash deposited long ago along the shores of a vast lake. As the erosion took place, it unveiled the intricate rock strata lining the walls of this ancient canyon. Renowned paleontologists Louis Leakey and Mary Nicol (later Leakey) pioneered groundbreaking discoveries in this very location during the 1930s and 1950s. Fossils found here include those belonging to Paranthropus boisei, Homo habilis, and Homo erectus - all vital pieces in unraveling humanity's past. In this image captured by Javier Trueba from Science Photo Library, we witness nature's artistry at its finest with rocky hills towering above a serene riverbed. The layers upon layers of rocks tell tales from prehistoric times while showcasing Earth's geological history. Olduvai Gorge stands not only as an awe-inspiring landscape but also as a testament to our shared ancestry with these extinct hominins. It serves as a reminder that within these ancient rocks lie clues about our own existence and evolution on this planet we call home.
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