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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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410 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-Elephantulus 20 2866 7 - FLK North MAX, M, P 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 5 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1976. Elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae) from Olduvai and Makapansgat. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 4. pp. 1-56. 150 - Butler and Greenwood 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae Elephantulus fuscus leakeyi No
OVPP-Elephantulus 21 2867 7 - FLK North MAX, M, P, C 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 123 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1976. Elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae) from Olduvai and Makapansgat. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 4. pp. 1-56. 150 - Butler and Greenwood 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae Elephantulus fuscus leakeyi No
OVPP-Elephantulus 22 2868 7 - FLK North MAX, M, P 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 123 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1976. Elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae) from Olduvai and Makapansgat. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 4. pp. 1-56. 150 - Butler and Greenwood 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae Elephantulus fuscus leakeyi No
OVPP-Elephantulus 23 2869 7 - FLK North MAX, P, I 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 5 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1976. Elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae) from Olduvai and Makapansgat. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 4. pp. 1-56. 150 - Butler and Greenwood 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae Elephantulus fuscus leakeyi No
OVPP-Elephantulus 24 2870 7 - FLK North MAX, P, C, I 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 3 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1976. Elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae) from Olduvai and Makapansgat. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 4. pp. 1-56. 150 - Butler and Greenwood 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae Elephantulus fuscus leakeyi No
OVPP-Elephantulus 25 2871 7 - FLK North MAX, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 3 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1976. Elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae) from Olduvai and Makapansgat. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 4. pp. 1-56. 150 - Butler and Greenwood 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae Elephantulus fuscus leakeyi No
OVPP-Elephantulus 26 2872 7 - FLK North MAX, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 123 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1976. Elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae) from Olduvai and Makapansgat. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 4. pp. 1-56. 150 - Butler and Greenwood 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae Elephantulus fuscus leakeyi No
OVPP-Elephantulus 27 2873 7 - FLK North MAX, P, I 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1976. Elephant-shrews (Macroscelididae) from Olduvai and Makapansgat. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 4. pp. 1-56. 150 - Butler and Greenwood 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae Elephantulus fuscus leakeyi No
OVPP-Heterocephalus 2 3008 7 - FLK North MAX-f, M, (N=7) 104 - Unknown I upper Denys, C. 1989. A new species of bathyergid rodent from Olduvai Bed I (Tanzania, Lower Pleistocene). Neue Jahrbuecher Geologica Palaeontologica 5:257-264. The author mentions 7 maxillae with associated molars. 147 - C. Denys Yes Mammalia Rodentia Bathyergidae Heterocephalinae Heterocephalus jaegeri No
01. R. L3-272 3404 R-MAX-f, M 104 - Unknown I Jaeger, J.J. 1976. Les rongeurs (Mammalia, Rodentia) du Pleistocene inferieur d’Olduvai Bed I (Tanzanie) 1ere Partie: Les Murides. Fossil vertebrates of Africa 4:58-120. This species is found at FLK NNI layer 2 and 3; FLK NI layers 1-6; FLK I Main site. It is unclear where individual specimens were recovered. Unknown No
OVPP-Mammalia 3801 83 - FLK NW AST, (n=33), CAL, (n=73), FEM, (n=272), HUM, (n=186), I, (n=316), M, (n=108), MAN, (n=161), MAX, (n=68), MTP, (n=257), PHX, (n=77), PVG, (n=218), RAD, (n=55), SCP, (n=40), TIB, (n=395), ULNA, (n=76), VER, (n=595) I 20 Arcos, S., Sevilla, P., and Fernandez-Jalvo, Y. 2010. Preliminary small mammal taphonomy of FLK NW level 20 (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania). Quarternary Research 74:405-410. MNI is 198. Authors describe specimens as "small mammals". Unknown Mammalia Authors describe specimens as "small mammals". No
OVPP-Gentryi 1 3965 5 - FLK MAN-f, (n=114), M, (n=62), MAX, (n=53) I Specimens were found from all FLK sites Denys, C. 1989. Two new gerbillids (Rodentia, Mammalia) from Olduvai Bed I (Pleistocene, Tanzania). Neues Jahrbuch f Mandible assemblage consists of 14 with M/123 and 100 with M/12 or M/1 or M/2. Isolated molar assemblage consists of 14 M/1 and 16 M1/. Maxilla assemblage consists of 52 with M12/ or M1/ and one with M123/. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/28 Unknown Mammalia Carnivora No
OVPP-Papio 1 26 SKULL, CRA, MAX 1913 104 - Unknown II Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. The assignment to Bed 2 is based on the author's analysis though he does not seem certain. The skull is from a juvenile. 131 - A. Remane 1925 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cercopithecinae Papionini Papio sp. No
OVPP-Papio 2 245 6 - FLK NN CRA, MAX 1962 104 - Unknown I middle 2, 3 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Skull is severely crushed. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cercopithecinae Papionini Papio indet. No
M. 18779 1312 39 - MRC R-MAX-f 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) II Upper, surface? Jolly, C. J. 1972. The classification and natural history of Theropithecus (Simopithecus)(Andrews, 1916), baboons of the African Plio-Pleistocene: British Museum (Natural History) 146 - C. J. Jolly Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cercopithecinae Papionini Theropithecus gelada No
M. 14681 1313 L-MAX-f, L-M, L-P 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) II Hopwood, A. 1934. New fossil mammals from Olduvai, Tanganyika territory. Annals of the Magazine of Natural History. 10: 546-550. This specimen is pictured in plate 14b and 14c (Jolly, 1972). 293 - A.T. Hopwood Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cynocephalinae Simopithecus leakeyi This specimen was reclassified as aff. Theropithecus by Jolly (1972). No
S. 193 3117 24 - DK MAX-f, P, M 1969 104 - Unknown I Leakey, M., and Leakey, R. 1976. Further Cercopithecinae (Mammalia, Primates) from the Plio/Pleistocene of East Africa. Fossil vertebrates of Africa 4:121-146. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cercopithecinae Papionini Papio sp. No
068/6514 3711 34 - MLK CRA, MAX-f, R/L-P, R/L-M 104 - Unknown II middle Leakey, M. G., and Leakey, R. E. F. 1973. Pleistocene Colobinae from East Africa. Leakey, L. S. B., Savage, R. J. G., Coryndon, S. C., eds. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 3. London: Academic Pr This specimen is pictured in plate 3. 154 - Leakey and Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Colobinae Colobini Cercopithecoides kimeui Holotype No
OH 5 3713 5 - FLK 283 - 45 CRA , MAX , M , I , C , P 17 July - 6 August 1959 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I Middle (Zinj.) 22 feet below the upper limit of Bed I (Tuff IF), approximately 20 feet above basalt. Leakey, L. S. B. 1959. A new fossil skull from Olduvai. Nature 184:491-493. Holotype. Almost complete cranium. Adolescent. One reconstructed fossil found at House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. Additional pieces from NMK unpublished. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Zinjanthropus boisei Holotype. This specimen was reclassified as Paranthropus boisei by Robinson (1960). No
OH 11 3726 24 - DK 285 - 13 PAL , L-MAX-f , TOOTH-f 1962 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Ndutu Lower Found in stream bed at bottom of gully near DK excavations. See curatorial notes for details. Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Left half of palate and maxillary arch, crowns of teeth not preserved. "It is thus impossible to assign to any stratigraphic level, although the condition of the bone, which bears a pinkish tinge, is similar to that seen in fossil bones from a conglomerate at the head of the DK gully belonging to the lower Ndutu Beds" (Leakey MD, 1971:230). Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 154 - Leakey and Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo sp. No
OH 12 3727 18 - VEK 286 - 86 OCC , L/R-PAR , L/R-TEM-f , CRA-f , L-PAL , L-MAX , TOOTH-f 1962 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania IV? a Surface. Found on eroded slope of Bed III. L-TEM-f from just below marker Tuff IVa. Leakey, L., and Leakey, M. 1964. Recent discoveries of fossil hominids in tanganyika: at Olduvai and near Lake Natron. Nature 202:5-7. Crowns of teeth not preserved. Bed IVA determined on basis of matrix adhering to L-TEM-f and PAL. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 264 - Leakey family expedition No L-TEM-f & PAL found with matrix adhering. Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo erectus No
OH 13 3728 27 - MNK 287 - 88 "Skull Site" MAN , MAX , CRA-f 1963 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II Lower Middle IIB 5 feet above chert horizon Paratpye. "This consists of a sub-adult skull, probably female, with the third molars coming into wear. It is represented by the greater part of the mandible, including the complete dentition, although the crowns of the incisors are damaged and the left ascending ram us is not preserved; the greater part of the maxillae, represented by two fragments both lacking the anterior portions; the greater part of the occipital; the right parietal and temporal; parts of the left parietal and temporal; together with a few frontal fragments and approximately fifty additional pieces which it has not been possible to fit together" (Leakey MD, 1971:231). Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 5 pieces found at House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis Paratype No
OH 65 3780 82 - 64 MAX , TOOTH 1995 127 - National Natural History Museum, Arusha, Tanzania I Middle/Upper Blumenschine, R. J., Peters, C. R., Masao, F. T., et al. 2003. Late Pliocene Homo and Hominid Land Use from Western Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Science 299, 1217-1221. Author describes specimen as "complete maxilla with all teeth and lower face of adult". Specimen is pictured in images 1-11. (Images from R. Clarke 2011). Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis Large habilis No
2609 3943 MAX, P, (n=4), M, (M=2) II Petter, G. 1973. Carnivores Pleistocenes du ravin d’Olduvai (Tanzanie). Fossil vertebrates of Africa 3:43-100. Author lists specimen in an assemblage that is described as coming from FLK N, FLK NN, and MNK but does not specifically assign site. Specimen is pictured in image 1. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/28 Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae No
OLD 160 ?F Ha S 194111 8047 MAX, R/L-M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania -- Packed in National Museum in Nairobi, Kenya in box 188 or 189 labeled "Cercopithecidae" for transport to National Museum of History, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Specimen label reads 'OLD160 ?F Ha S194111'. Label is unclear. Maxilla with right M2-M3 and left M1-M3. 2012/7/20 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Y Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae No
OLD/69 MRC S.132 8048 39 - MRC R-MAX, ZYG-f, P, M, C 1969 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania IV Surface -- Packed in National Museum in Nairobi, Kenya in box 188 or 189 labeled "Cercopithecidae" for transport to National Museum of History, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Enclosed card reads "Simopithecus - Parts of maxilla and skull. (total of 43 frags.) MRC Bed 4 (S. 116, 126 & 132)." Specimen from same individual as S. 123, which is labeled "MRC IV surface S. 123". 2012/7/20 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cynocephalinae Simopithecus No
OLD 68/S.9 opp. S.C. IV S ? IV. C KNM 2.4.3 8066 22 - SC CRA-f, R-ZYG-f, L/R-MAX, R/L-M, R/L-P, R/L-C-f 1968 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania IV Surface? -- Packed in National Museum in Nairobi, Kenya in box 188 or 189 labeled "Cercopithecidae" for transport to National Museum of History, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Partial cranium: Left and right maxillae and right zygomatic fragment present. Right and left M1-3, P 3-4, and canines present. Crown of left canine broken off. Only root of right canine is preserved. Incisors not preserved. Left M3 crown broken off. Buccal side of left M2 crown broken off. Distal portion of buccal side of left M1 crown broken off. Needs preparation. 2012/07/23 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Y Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae No
OLD 69/S. 133 DC 8071 30 - DC MAX, ZYG, R/L-I, L-C, R/L-P, R/L-M 1969 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania -- Maxilla with left I2-M3, left I1 is absent. Right I1-2 present. Roots of right P3-4, M1-2 present, some partially so. Right palatine is almost complete. Fragments of right and left zygomatics present, left zygomatic includes arch. Card in bag with specimen does not match specimen. Packed in National Museum in Nairobi, Kenya in box 188 or 189 labeled "Cercopithecidae" for transport to National Museum of History, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 2012/07/23 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae No
OLD 69/S.133 DC II 8073 30 - DC MAX, TOOTH-f, CRA-f 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II -- Maxilla with tooth fragments and partial cranium. Enclosed card states "Glamour Boy". Very fragmentary, fragments very small. Needs preparation. Fragments of this specimen (a maxilla with M3) in bag with OLD 69/S.89 SHKE (cranium). 2012/07/25 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cynocephalinae Simopithecus No
S.89 8080 CRA-f, MAX-f, R-P, R-M, OCC-f, UK 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania -- Cigar box with cranial and maxilla fragments labeled |A.1-21; KNM-B 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98". Fragments in cigar box probably from same individual as OLD69/S.89. Many fragments in bags (unidentified) and one small plastic box appear to be sieving fragments; note with OLD69/S.89 states "sieving frags. in 81I/K". Cranial fragments in cigar box include maxillary fragments, one fragment with RM3, one fragment with RP3-4 and M1. Buccal side of RP4 crown missing (broken off) and mesiobuccal portion of RM1 not present (broken off). Occipital fragments also in cigar box. Needs preparation. Probably same specimen as OLD69/S.89 but in different bag. 2012/07/25 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae No
OLD 61/5170 OKIB + SCREE 8087 24 - DK L-MAX-f, P, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I -- Fragment of left maxilla with PM 4 and M1-3. Pleistocene. 2012/07/26 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae No
OLD 1963/105 DK I 8088 24 - DK L-MAX-f, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I L/Z strip -- Fragment of left maxilla with second molar. Specimen may be same individual as KNM 2.27. 2012/07/26 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae No
OLD 63/3101 DK I 8090 24 - DK MAX-f 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I Strip II L/Z -- Maxilla fragment with P3-4, probably same individual as 2.31, 2.27. Also same individual as 3000? 8283. 2012/07/26 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae No
OLD/1957/1092 BK II 8162 10 - BK R-MAX-f, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II -- Fragment. Right maxilla with upper second molar and (1092) upper third molar. Card in bag states "These teeth seem to be associated". In BM loan collection. Specimen together with OLD/1957/1091 BK II. 2012/07/31 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea No
OLD/1957/1091 BK II 8163 10 - BK R-MAX-f, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II -- Fragment. Right maxilla with upper second molar and (1091) upper third molar. Specimen together with OLD/1957/1092 BK II. In BM loan collection. 2012/07/31 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea No
OLD 1962 067/5608 MCK II Simo. Lt.Max 8167 80 - MCK L-MAX, P-f, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II -- Left maxilla with fourth premolar (roots) and first molar to third molar. 2012/07/31 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cynocephalinae Simopithecus No
OLD/69/5193 DK I KNM 23? 8191 24 - DK MAX-f, P, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I -- Maxillary fragment in matrix or concretion with complete premolar and molar and root (of premolar?). Card in bag with specimen states "OLDUVAI, OLD 69 S193 DK I. Erupting P4, broken MI and erupting M2 in Matrix. Cercopithecoidea Papio sp". 2012/08/01 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea No
OLD 1957/622 SHK II 8208 19 - SHK L-MAX-f, P, M 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II -- Fragment of left maxilla with third and forth premolar and first molar. In BM loan collection. Card in bag with specimen states "Canine socket suggests male". 2012/08/03 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea No
KNM 2?7 8220 M, MAX-f 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania -- Unerupted molar and maxillary fragment with matrix. Pleistocene. Card in bag with specimen states "LOC: Olduvai, Field No: ?". 2012/08/03 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea No
FLK NNI 1011 8257 6 - FLK NN MAX, MAN, CRA-f, R/L-M, TOOTH-f, UK-f 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I -- Packed in National Museum in Nairobi, Kenya in box 188 or 189 labeled "Cercopithecidae" for transport to National Museum of History, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Maxilla, mandible, cranium fragment, right second and third molar, left third molar, tooth fragment and unknown fragment. Other card in bag states "FLK NNI 1011 + another individual there? M3 etc ED `81". 2012/08/09 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea No