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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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978 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
OLD-18 12470 CAL 114 - Natural History Museum UK -- OLD-18 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Tapiromorpha Rhinocerotoidea Rhinocerotidae No
OLD-184 12475 9 - THC CAL 114 - Natural History Museum UK I -- OLD-184; THC I S Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Equidae No
OLD-185 12476 CAL 114 - Natural History Museum UK -- OLD-185 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Equidae No
OLD-186 12477 CAL 114 - Natural History Museum UK -- OLD-186 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Equidae No
OLD-189 12480 35 - GTC CAL 114 - Natural History Museum UK -- OLD-189; "OLD-Y GTC 14/5/35" Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Equidae No
OLD-19 12482 CAL 114 - Natural History Museum UK -- OLD-19 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Tapiromorpha Rhinocerotoidea Rhinocerotidae No
OLD-200 12488 CAL 114 - Natural History Museum UK -- OLD-200; "IV S' 31" Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Equidae No
OLD-65 12777 OCC 114 - Natural History Museum UK -- OLD-65; magnum Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Tapiromorpha Rhinocerotoidea Rhinocerotidae No
OLD-73 12843 78 - FLK S CAL 114 - Natural History Museum UK II -- OLD-73; "OLDY FLK II S ?.VII.35" Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae No
M18783 3874 9 - THC CAR I -- All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This carpal is a lunate. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi No
M18785 3875 9 - THC CAR I All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This carpal is a scaphoid. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi Shows resemblance to A. pentelicum. No
M18784 3876 9 - THC CAR I Butler, P. M., 1965. Fossil Mammals of Africa No. 18. East African Miocene and Pleistocene Chalicotheres. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) (Geology), 10: 163-23. All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This carpal is a cuneiform. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi No
M18786 3877 9 - THC MTC I All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This is the second metacarpal. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi No
M18782 3878 9 - THC MTC I All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This is the third metacarpal. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi No
1116 3941 L-COX I/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, KK, BK, and DK but does not specifically assign site. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/28 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae No
1776 3946 R-C I/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 BK, THL, and FLK N but does not specifically assign site. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/28 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae No
6158 3959 7 - FLK North C-f II Petter, G. 1973. Carnivores Pleistocenes du ravin d’Olduvai (Tanzanie). Fossil vertebrates of Africa 3:43-100. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/28 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae No
OVPP-L-32 3999 C 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania -- Specimen label: OLD-88-229-1-5. Box #: OLD881-E. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/29 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae No
M18783 7635 9 - THC CAR I -- All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This carpal is a lunate. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi No
M18785 7636 9 - THC CAR I All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This carpal is a scaphoid. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi Shows resemblance to A. pentelicum. No
M18784 7637 9 - THC CAR I All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This carpal is a cuneiform. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi No
M18786 7638 9 - THC MTC I All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This is the second metacarpal. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi No
M18782 7639 9 - THC MTC I All specimens for this paper are thought to be from one individual (MNI = 1). Each specimen has its own specimen number. This is the third metacarpal. Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Selenida Chalicotherioidea Chalicotheriidae Schizotheriinae Schizotheriini Ancylotherium hennigi No
OVPP-322 8000 CAL 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania I Lower 1 meter above Bed I lavas. -- calcaneus 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/07/11 253 - OVPP No Mammalia Perissodactyla No
OVPP-340 8018 MTC 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania II Lower 1 meter below augitic sandstone. -- metacarpal 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/07/11 253 - OVPP No Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae No
OVPP-L-215 8356 MAX, I, C 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania -- Specimen label: OLD-87-?37-?3-S. Box #: OLD 87-3-E. Box label: Teeth. 158 - W. Reiner 2012/07/01 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae No
S. 196 3116 24 - DK CRA-f, P, M, C 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. This specimen is pictured in plate 1. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cercopithecinae Papionini Papio ap. No
1011 3119 6 - FLK NN CRA-f, MAN-f 1961 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. This specimen is crushed. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cercopithecinae Papionini Papio sp. No
S. 61 3120 23 - TK CRA-f, MAN-f 1961 104 - Unknown II Leakey, M., and Leakey, R. 1976. Further Cercopithecinae (Mammalia, Primates) from the Plio/Pleistocene of East Africa. Fossil vertebrates of Africa 4:121-146. This specimen is crushed. 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes 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 2 3718 27 - MNK 279 - 88 CRA-f 1935 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) III/IV Lowest horizon of Bed IVa. Surface. Found at head of MNK Gully where Beds II and IV are exposed. Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Two cranial vault fragments. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. Not found at House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo erectus Similar to OH 9 and OH 12. No
OH 3 3719 10 - BK 280 - 94 d-C , L-d-M 1955 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II Upper Upper part of BK channel which cuts into Tuff IID Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. In the first publication of these specimens (Leakey, LSB, 1958), Leakey described the teeth as a deciduous lower canine and a left deciduous upper M2. "This view was not shared by Robinson, von Koenigswald and others, who preferred to regard it as either a permanent or a deciduous upper molar of an australopithecine character" (Leakey, MD, 1970:226). Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Australopithecus Referred to as species boisei in Tobias (Olduvai Gorge volume IV, 1991). No
OH 6 3721 5 - FLK 283 - 45 CRA-f , M-f , L-P , L-TIB-f , L-FIB-f , 1959/60 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I Middle (Zinj.) Surface. Cranial and dental fragments found in surface soil from slope immediately below Zinj. site; assumed to be from Zinj. level (Leakey, MD, 1971:227). TIB-f and FIB-f from Zinj. level. Davis, P. R. 1964. Hominid fossils from Bed I, Olduvai Gorge, Tanganyika. A tibia and fibula. Nature. 201, 967. From Tobias (1991): OH 35 tibia and fibula attributed to same individual as OH 6 but appear to be more mature. It is unclear if OH 35 tibia and fibula are the same tibia and fibula originally listed under OH 6. Leakey, MD, 1971 describes CRA and dental fragments as having been found in surface soil, but Leakey, Tobias, and Napier, 1964 state "some [were] found in situ [and] some on the surface" (:9). Unworn lower L-P3. Partially developed roots of upper M1 or 2. Six cranial vault fragments. Tibia and fibula fragments first assumed to be associated with Zinjanthropus OH5, but should be considered associates with OH 6 following morphological study (Leakey, MD, 1971:227). and skull fragments. Juvenile. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis Paratype. TIB-f and FIB-f not given taxonomic designation in original publication (Davis, 1964) but named as a paratype in Leakey, Tobias, and Napier, 1964. No
OH 7 3722 6 - FLK NN 283 - 45 MAN , L-PAR , R-PAR-f , M , OCC-f , L/R-TEM-f , PHX , CAR 1960 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 3 On surface of clay immediately overlying Tuff IB. Leakey, L.S.B., Tobias, P.V. & Napier, J.R. 1964. A new species of the genus Homo from Olduvai Gorge. Nature 202(4927): 7-9. Holotype. "Jonny's Child". Juvenile. Mandible with partial dentition and unerupted R/L-M3, almost complete left parietal and fragments of right parietal, left and right petrous portions (temporal) , "sundry small skull fragments ... [and] twenty-one bones of the hand, including the trapezium, scaphoid and a number of phalanges" (Leakey, MD, 1971:228). "One upper molar, a terminal phalanx, and a broken capitate bone, found on the surface, probably also belong to this individual" (:226). Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis Holotype No
OH 8 3723 6 - FLK NN 283 - 45 PHX , CAR , TAR , CLA , AST , CAL , CUNE , CUB , NAV , M-f 1960 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 3 Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. The molar-f was found on the surface and "probably also belongs to OH 8" (Leakey MD, 1971:228). Twelve associated foot bones including astragalus (has carnivore tooth marks (Leakey MD, 1971), calcaneus, cuboid and navicular, cuneiforms 1- 3, proximal ends with shafts, five metatarsals. Proximal ends of one metacarpal and three finger phalanges. One radius shaft. Clavicle with damaged articular ends. Foot articulates "almost perfectly with the OH 35 leg" (Susman, 1983:372). 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis Paratype No
OH 9 3724 71 - LLK 284 - 46 CALV 2 December 1960 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II Upper II D Surface Leakey LSB. 1966. Homo habilis, Homo erectus and the Australopithecines. Nature, 209(5030), 1279–1281. Calvaria. "Chellean Man." 264 - Leakey family expedition No Yes. Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo erectus 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 14 3729 27 - MNK 287 - 88 "Skull Site" CRA-f , FRO-f , R-PAR-f 1963 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II Lower Middle B Surface. Inferred as same horizon as OH 13 (Leakey MD, 1971). Leakey, L.S.B., Tobias, P.V. & Napier, J.R. 1964. A new species of the genus Homo from Olduvai Gorge. Nature 202(4927): 7-9. Juvenile (sutures unfused). Thin skull. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 11 pieces found at House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Juvenile, parietal is thin. No