Tanzania

What today is known as the United Republic of Tanzania lies in east Africa, bordering the Indian ocean. Natural wonders and reserves of this country include Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater.The people of this country are divided into as many as 120 ethnic groups .

Tanzania was where the Leakeys did most of their work, and has contributed a vast amount of information to the library of fossils of prehistoric man.

Tanzania: Image courtesy National Geographic

Olduvai Gorge:
(For more information regarding this gorge, see Kenya)

"Nutcracker Man"
Species:
Australopithecus boisei
Age:
1,8 million years old
Description:
A cranium with a brain capacity of 530cc
Who:
Mary Leakey
When:
1959
"Twiggy"
Species:
Homo Habilis
Age:
1,85 million years old
Description:
A cranium of 590cc was found
Who:
Peter Nzube
When:
1988
"Dik-dik Hominid"
Species:
Homo habilis
Age:
1,8 million years old
Description:
Parts of the skull, teeth and arm and leg bones were found
Who:
Tim Whitet
When:
1986
"Chellian Man"
Species:
Homo erectus
Age:
1,4 million years old
Description:
Part of the brain case which has massive brow bridges. A brain capacity of 1065cc
Who:
Louis Leakey
When:
1966
"Pinhead"
Species:
Homo erectus
Age:
60,000 to 80,000 years old
Description:
A cranium with a brain capacity of 750cc was found
Who:
Margerett Cropper
When:
1962
"Johnny's Child"
Species:
Homo habilis
Age:
1,6 million years old
Description:
The lower jaw of a child
Who:
Leakeys
When:
1960
"Cindy"
Species:
Homo habilis
Age:
2 to 3 million years old
Description:
The lower jaw and the teeth were found
Who:
Leakeys
When:
1963
"George"
Species:
Homo habilis
Age:
1,7 million years old
Description:
Teeth were found
Who:
Leakeys
When:
1963

Laetoli:
"Laetoli Footprints"
Species:
Australopithecus afarensis (debatable)
Age:
3,7 million years old
Description:
Fossilized footprints were found. Scientist believe these are almost identical to those of modern humans
Who:
Paul Abell
When:
1978