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IMPORTANT NOTE: We have maintained the originally published taxonomic designation for each specimen despite the fact that many of these specimens have been reclassified since.  We chose to follow this protocol because of the difficulty in keeping up to date with all of the taxonomic groups, and our hesitancy to make a judgement call on taxonomic debates.  As such, please search the database with this in mind, perhaps using higher level taxonomic classifications for your query.

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257 specimens found
Image Spec # CODI Database ID Arch. Locality Geo. Locality Elements Preserved Excavation Date Repository Bed Level Stratigraphic Horizon Bibliographic Information Curatorial Notes ID By ID Date Research Team In Situ Sediment or Matrix Adhering Class Order Suborder Infraorder Superfamily Family Subfamily Tribe Genus Species Subspecies Taxonomic Notes Taxonomic Problems
OVPP-Xenopus 3 319 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Amphibia Anura Pipidae Xenopus sp. No
OLD FLK NI 19721 10198 6 - FLK NN ULNA-f 1960-2 I Haarhoff, P.J. 1993. Latest Pliocene mousebirds (Aves, Coliidae) from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Ann S Afr Mus. 103:191–211. One proximal end of an ulna. "The specimen numbers are catalogue numbers of the Olduvai fossil birds, and the data are kept at the Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville. The fossils belong to the Tanzanian Ministry of Antiquities, Dar es Salaam. They were collected by Mary Leakey in 1960-1962" (Haarhoff, 1993:193). Unknown Aves Coliiformes Coliidae Urocoliinae Urocolius No
OLD FLK NI 19765 10204 6 - FLK NN ULNA-f 1960-2 I Haarhoff, P.J. 1993. Latest Pliocene mousebirds (Aves, Coliidae) from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Ann S Afr Mus. 103:191–211. One distal end of an ulna. "The specimen numbers are catalogue numbers of the Olduvai fossil birds, and the data are kept at the Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville. The fossils belong to the Tanzanian Ministry of Antiquities, Dar es Salaam. They were collected by Mary Leakey in 1960-1962" (Haarhoff, 1993:193). Unknown Aves Coliiformes Coliidae Urocoliinae Urocolius No
OVPP Tyto 1 10177 6 - FLK NN RAD-f , ULNA-f , CARMET , PHX I Brodkorb P., Mourer-Chauviré, C. 1984. Fossil owls from early man sites of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Ostrich; Journal of African Ornithology 55:17-27. Authors do not specify specimen numbers. "Radius, 1 proximal and 1 distal part; ulna, 2 distal parts; carpometacarpus, 1 almost complete and l distal part; l phalanx of the wing; tarsometatarsus, 1 distal part and 2 distal fragments; 4 pedal phalanges" (Brodkorb and Mourer-Chauvire, 1984:23). "Place of conservation of the material: The fossils are currently on deposit at the University of Florida, Department of Zoology, and will later be returned to Tanzania" (Brodkorb and Mourer-Chauvire, 1984:19). Unknown Aves Strigiformes Strigidae Tyto alba cf. affinis No
OVPP-Trionyx 1 230 6 - FLK NN UK 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) I middle Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 140 - E.E. Williams 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Reptilia Testudines Cryptodira Trionychidae Trionyx No
FLK NN I 553 714 6 - FLK NN MAX, MAN 104 - Unknown I Gentry, A. W., and Gentry, A. 1978. Fossil Bovidae (Mammalia) of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Part I. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History): Geology 29:289-446. The authors indicate that this specimen number is for the maxilla and that mandibles "62 and 66 + 548" belong to this individual as well. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Tragelaphini Tragelaphus strepsiceros maryanus No
FLK NN I 895 721 6 - FLK NN MTC 104 - Unknown I Gentry, A. W., and Gentry, A. 1978. Fossil Bovidae (Mammalia) of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Part I. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History): Geology 29:289-446. The authors provide measurements of various limb bones. They don't mention what other elements were preserved or whether it was in situ. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Tragelaphini Tragelaphus strepsiceros maryanus No
FLK NN I 66 + 548 1285 6 - FLK NN MAN, M 104 - Unknown I Gentry, A. W., and Gentry, A. 1978. Fossil Bovidae (Mammalia) of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Part I. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History): Geology 29:289-446. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Tragelaphini Tragelaphus strepsiceros maryanus No
FLK NN I 62 1286 6 - FLK NN MAN, P 104 - Unknown I Gentry, A. W., and Gentry, A. 1978. Fossil Bovidae (Mammalia) of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Part I. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History): Geology 29:289-446. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Tragelaphini Tragelaphus strepsiceros maryanus No
OVPP-Tilapia 1 226 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 2, 3 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Actinopterygii Perciformes Cichlidae Pseudocrenilabrinae Tilapini Tilapia No
OVPP-Tilapia 3 312 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Actinopterygii Perciformes Cichlidae Pseudocrenilabrinae Tilapini Tilapia sp. No
OVPP-Cichlidae 14 2663 6 - FLK NN OPER, VER-f, HMND-f, PTER, SPINE-f 1960 104 - Unknown I 2, 3 Greenwood, P., and Todd, E. 1970. Fish remains from Olduvai. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 2 New York: Academic Press. pp. 225-241. MNI=3. The specimens are from trench II. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Unknown Actinopterygii Perciformes Cichlidae Pseudocrenilabrinae Tilapini Tilapia This specimen is "probably Tilapia." No
OVPP-Tatera 2 433 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 1, 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 135 - M. Hilzheimer 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Rodentia Myomorpha Myodonta Muroidea Muridae Gerbillinae Taterillini Tatera sp. No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 6 3820 6 - FLK NN MAN I 3 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. Specimen is a "right mandibular fragment with moderately worn M1 and M2 and the alveoli of M3" 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex granti No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 9 3823 6 - FLK NN MAN-f, (n=19) I 1 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex olduvaiensis Described as Suncus cf. lixus by Butler & Greenwood (1965). No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 10 3824 6 - FLK NN HUM, MAN-f, (n=13) I 2 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. Authors do not specify if humerus is associated with any of the mandibles. The following specimen is specifically mentioned by the author: Fragment of left mandible with unworn M1-M3. 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex olduvaiensis Described as Suncus cf. lixus by Butler & Greenwood (1965). No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 11 3825 6 - FLK NN HUM, MAN-f, (n=44) I 3 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. Authors do not specify if humerus is associated with any of the mandibles. 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex olduvaiensis Described as Suncus cf. lixus by Butler & Greenwood (1965). No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 12 3826 6 - FLK NN FEM, (n=6), HUM, (n=27), MAN-f, (n=139) I 2/3 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. Authors do not provide MNI. Includes holotype for the species, a right mandibular ramus with complete dentition. The following specimens are specifically mentioned by the authors: a. Right mandible with base of I1 and worn I2-M3 b. Right mandible with unworn M1-M3 and alveoli of I2 and P4 c. Right mandible with M1, M2 and alveoli of M3 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex olduvaiensis Described as Suncus cf. lixus by Butler & Greenwood (1965). No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 14 3856 6 - FLK NN FEM, (n=2), HUM, (n=7) I 1/3 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. Authors do not provide an MNI. 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex olduvaiensis No
OVPP-Suncus 2 11 6 - FLK NN MAN, (n=242) 104 - Unknown I middle 1, 2, 3 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 242 lower jaw fragments occur in layers 1, 2, 3 but not in highest layers of Bed 1. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Crocidurinae Suncus lixus No
OVPP-Suncus 6 419 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 1, 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Crocidurinae Suncus lixus No
OVPP-Struthio 3 399 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Aves Struthioniformes Struthioni Struthionides Struthionidae Struthio sp. No
OVPP-Tragelaphus 2 122 6 - FLK NN CRA, HOR 1960 104 - Unknown I middle 1, 2, 3 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Other specimens are present (Leakey, 1971) but are not described. The cranium and horn cones were found near the base of Bed 2. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Strepsicerotini Strepsiceros maryanus Gentry and Gentry (1978) reclassified this specimen as Tragelaphus strepsiceros maryanus. No
OVPP-Steatomys 3 523 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 1, 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Rodentia Myomorpha Myodonta Muroidea Muridae Dendromurinae Steatomys sp. No
OVPP-Simopithecus 3 521 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cynocephalinae SImopithecus oswaldi No
OVPP-Saccostomus 1 32 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 3 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This species appears to be well represented, indicating that there are several specimens. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Rodentia Nesomyidae Cricetomyinae Saccostomurini Saccostomus indet. Author is not totally convinced of its taxonomy. It may represent an unknown murid. No
OVPP-Rana 1 329 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Amphibia Anura Ranidae Rana sp. No
OVPP-Python 3 373 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 1, 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Reptilia Squamata Boidae Python sp. No
OVPP-Ptychadena 1 331 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 2, 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Amphibia Anura Ranidae Ptychadena sp. No
OVPP-Pseudocivettictis 1 475 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Viverridae Pseudocivettictis ingens No
OVPP-Protocyon 1 87 6 - FLK NN MAN, RAM-f, L-P, L-M 104 - Unknown I middle 3 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 133 - L. Werdelin 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Carnivora Caniformia Cynoidea Canidae Prototocyon recki No
FLK NN I 701 103 6 - FLK NN C 104 - Unknown I middle 2 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This specimen is pictured in plate 24 next to modern Phacochoerus specimens. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Suoidea Suidae Suinae Suini Promesochoerus mukiri Paratype No
FLK NN I 177/1960 107 6 - FLK NN CRA, MAX, P, M, C 1960 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) I middle 3 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This specimen is pictured in plate 28. This skull is "very crushed."Original information indicated that this specimen was located in Nairobi. This specimen is likely within the material that was repatriated to Dar in 2011, but this has yet to be confirmed. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Suoidea Suidae Suinae Suini Potamochoerus intermedius Holotype No
OVPP-Pipistrellus 1 24 6 - FLK NN MAN 104 - Unknown I middle 3 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Chiroptera Microchiroptera Vespertilionoidea Vespertillionidae Vespertillioninae Pipstrellini Pipistrellus rueppelei This mandible resembles P. rueppelei but is somewhat larger and is roughly the size of P. dormeri from India. No
F335 3023 6 - FLK NN PLAS 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) I Auffenberg, W. 1981. The fossil turtles of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, Africa. Copeia 1981:509-522. Original information indicated that this specimen was located in Nairobi. This specimen is likely within the material that was repatriated to Dar in 2011, but this has yet to be confirmed. 152 - W. Auffenberg 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Reptilia Testudines Pelomedusidae Pelusios sinuatus No
F393 3026 6 - FLK NN CARA-f 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) I Auffenberg, W. 1981. The fossil turtles of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, Africa. Copeia 1981:509-522. Original information indicated that this specimen was located in Nairobi. This specimen is likely within the material that was repatriated to Dar in 2011, but this has yet to be confirmed. 152 - W. Auffenberg 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Reptilia Testudines Pelomedusidae Pelusios sinuatus No
F4724 3039 6 - FLK NN SHEL 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) I Auffenberg, W. 1981. The fossil turtles of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, Africa. Copeia 1981:509-522. Original information indicated that this specimen was located in Nairobi. This specimen is likely within the material that was repatriated to Dar in 2011, but this has yet to be confirmed. 152 - W. Auffenberg 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Reptilia Testudines Pelomedusidae Pelusios sinuatus No
F297 3050 6 - FLK NN PLAS 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) I Auffenberg, W. 1981. The fossil turtles of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, Africa. Copeia 1981:509-522. 152 - W. Auffenberg Unknown Reptilia Testudines Pelomedusidae Pelusios sinuatus No
F325 3051 6 - FLK NN PLAS 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) I Auffenberg, W. 1981. The fossil turtles of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, Africa. Copeia 1981:509-522. 152 - W. Auffenberg Unknown Reptilia Testudines Pelomedusidae Pelusios sinuatus No
F378 3052 6 - FLK NN CARA, PLAS 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) I Auffenberg, W. 1981. The fossil turtles of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, Africa. Copeia 1981:509-522. This specimen is from a juvenile. 152 - W. Auffenberg Unknown Reptilia Testudines Pelomedusidae Pelusios sinuatus No