The Turkana Basin in northern Kenya stands as one of the most geologically and scientifically significant landscapes in the world. This area’s sediments span millions of years of Earth’s history. Turkana itself is often called the "Home of Human Origins" and has yielded some of the world’s most important fossil and archaeological discoveries.
Among the hominin species found at Lake Turkana include Australopithecus and Homo habilis. Perhaps the most famous find was that of an almost complete skeleton of the 1.5 million year old Turkana Boy (Homo erectus). In fact, upwards of 200 hominid and animal skulls have been found at Lake Turkana, more than anywhere else in the world. In addition, the world's oldest Olduwan and Acheulean stone tools have also been found here. Together these finds have helped reshaped our understanding of human origins, technological innovation, mobility, cultural development and environmental adaptation.
The Turkana region of Kenya is globally significant for its exceptional prehistoric and archaeological heritage. Geologically part of the East African Rift System, this area preserves deeply stratified sedimentary sequences that span millions of years of Earth’s history.
At Koobi Fora, fieldwork and extensive paleontological finds have been made since 1969. The many discoveries prove the existence of intelligent two-million-year-old hominids who adapted to the change in climate from moist forest grassland (now petrified forest) to the present hot desert. The human and pre-human fossils include the remains of five species, Austrolophithecus anamensis, Homo habilis/rudolfensis, Paranthropus boisei, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens all found within one locality. These discoveries are important for understanding the evolutionary history of the human species.
You'll be working at the Koobi Fora camp for a total of seven days. Your work includes a mix of fieldwork, lectures and fieldtrips, where you will partake in meaningful contributions to conservation and community wellbeing.
You'll receive training on archaeological protocols in the tasks of:
- Excavation
- Surface Survey
- Note-taking
- Mapping
- Sample collection
- Artifact recording
- Stratigraphy
- Lithic analysis
- Fossil handling
Fieldtrips
You'll accompany the researchers on guided visits to world-renowned fossil and archaeological sites including Ileret to see 1.5-million-year-old Homo erectus hominin footprints, Nariokotome (home of Turkana Boy), Lomekwi. and Sibiloi National Park. These excursions are accompanied by expert-led discussions on stratigraphy, site formation processes, and paleoecological reconstruction and are subject to change.
Visits to local villages and cultural centers offer insight into the cultural and social dynamics of pastoralist life in the Turkana region. They are organized in consultation with local leaders.
Lectures:
During the course of the week, you will be invited to lectures by researchers in paleoanthropology, archaeology, geology, and paleoenvironments. Topics include human origins, climate change and adaptation, archaeological method and theory, and the significance of the Turkana Basin to global prehistory.
Verify Your Email
Check your email (including spam!) and click on the provided link.
Until then, you won't be able to earn badges, or access other members-only features, but you can still browse thousands of projects and events!
