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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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255 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-Clarias 1 225 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. The author notes the presence of catfishes from this genus. No elements are described. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias No
OVPP-Clarias 2 227 19 - SHK UK 104 - Unknown II 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 Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 3 228 10 - BK UK 104 - Unknown II, IV 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 Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias No
OVPP-Serpentes 2 233 5 - FLK VER 104 - Unknown I, II Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Several snake specimens have been found. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Reptilia Serpentes No
OVPP-Serpentes 3 234 26 - FC VER 104 - Unknown IV Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Several snake specimens have been found. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Reptilia Serpentes No
OVPP-Aquila 1 236 1913 104 - Unknown I, II Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Several bird specimens have been found. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Aves Ciconiiformes Ciconii Falconides Accipitridae Aquila rapax No
OVPP-Erinaceus 1 239 7 - FLK North UK 104 - Unknown I upper 3, 4, 5 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. There are several specimens found but are not individually described. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Insectivora Erinaceoidea Erinaceidae Erinaceinae Erinaceus major No
FLK I/E-G 394 1 5 - FLK L-RAM, L-P, L-M 104 - Unknown I middle (Zinjanthropus) 22 feet below the upper limit of bed I. 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 Primates Strepsirrhini Lorisiformes Galagidae Galago senegalensis No
OVPP-Macroscelididae 2 254 5 - FLK UK 104 - Unknown I Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. One juvenile specimen is found but not described. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Macroscelididae No
OVPP-Pedetes 1 255 7 - FLK North UK 104 - Unknown I upper 1 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. The author indicates there are a "few specimens." 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Rodentia Anomaluromorpha Pedetidae Pedetes sp. No
OVPP-Steatomys 1 256 5 - FLK UK 104 - Unknown I middle (Zinjanthropus) 22 feet below the upper limit of bed I. Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This is a very "constant type" but is never abundant. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Rodentia Myomorpha Myodonta Muroidea Muridae Dendromurinae Steatomys sp. No
OVPP-Dendromys 1 257 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. No information on the types of specimens is given. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Rodentia Myomorpha Myodonta Muroidea Muridae Dendromurinae Dendromys No
OVPP-Dendromys 2 258 7 - FLK North UK 104 - Unknown I middle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. No information on the types of specimens is given. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Rodentia Myomorpha Myodonta Muroidea Muridae Dendromurinae Dendromys No
OVPP-Hystrix 1 259 6 - FLK NN UK 104 - Unknown I middle 1 Leakey, LSB, 1951. Olduvai Gorge: a report on the evolution of the handaxe culture in Beds I-IV. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press. Information about the specimens preserved is not given. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Rodentia Hystricognatha Hystricognathi Hystricidae Hystricinae Hystrix galatea No
OVPP-Hystrix 2 260 5 - FLK UK 104 - Unknown I middle (Zinjanthropus) 22 feet below the upper limit of bed I. Specimens preserved are not details but is rare where it is found. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey Yes Mammalia Rodentia Hystricognatha Hystricognathi Hystricidae Hystricinae Hystrix galatea No
OVPP-Hystrix 3 261 7 - FLK North UK 104 - Unknown I upper 1, 6 Details of elements preserved are not given by the author. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey Yes Mammalia Rodentia Hystricognatha Hystricognathi Hystricidae Hystricinae Hystrix galatea No
OVPP-Heterocephalus 1 262 7 - FLK North UK 104 - Unknown I upper 3, 4, 5, 6 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Elements preserved were not described by the author. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Rodentia Bathyergidae Heterocephalinae Heterocephalus sp. No
OLD BK 2 132 264 10 - BK MAN, L/R-I 104 - Unknown II upper Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This specimen is pictured in plate 20. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae Equinae Stylohipparion sp. No
OVPP-Stylohipparion 1 265 MAN, L/R-I 104 - Unknown Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This specimen is pictured in plate 20. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae Equinae Stylohipparion No
OVPP-Panthera 1 273 UK 104 - Unknown I Leakey, LSB, 1951. Olduvai Gorge: a report on the evolution of the handaxe culture in Beds I-IV. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Felidae Pantherinae Panthera pardus No
OVPP-Leo 1 274 UK 104 - Unknown I, II, IV Leakey, LSB, 1951. Olduvai Gorge: a report on the evolution of the handaxe culture in Beds I-IV. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Felidae Leo leo No
Unknown Acinonyx 1 275 11 - HWK UK 104 - Unknown I Leakey, LSB, 1951. Olduvai Gorge: a report on the evolution of the handaxe culture in Beds I-IV. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Felidae Acinonyx sp. No
OVPP-Anancus 1 276 UK 104 - Unknown II Leakey, LSB, 1951. Olduvai Gorge: a report on the evolution of the handaxe culture in Beds I-IV. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Proboscidea Tethytheria Behemota Elephantoidea Gomphotheriidae Anancinae Anancus kenyensis No
OVPP-Hippotigris 1 277 UK 104 - Unknown II, III, IV Leakey, LSB, 1951. Olduvai Gorge: a report on the evolution of the handaxe culture in Beds I-IV. Cambridge:Cambridge University Press. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae Hippotigris quagga boehmi No
OVPP-Notochoerus 1 280 UK 104 - Unknown II 130 - L.S.B. Leakey Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Suoidea Suidae Tetraconodontinae Notochoerus dietrichi No
OVPP-Hippopotamus 2 282 24 - DK UK 104 - Unknown I lower All levels 130 - L.S.B. Leakey Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops No
OVPP-Sivatherium 1 284 UK 104 - Unknown I, II, III, IV 130 - L.S.B. Leakey Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Giraffoidea Giraffidae Sivatheriinae Sivatherium olduvaiensis No
OVPP-Philantomba 1 292 UK 104 - Unknown IV The author indicates this species might be found in bed 4. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Cephalophinae Philantomba monticola No
OLD 1472 3694 63 - JLK MAN, M, P 1957 104 - Unknown IV Leakey, L., and Whitworth, T. 1958. Notes on the genus Simopithecus, with a description of a new species from Olduvai. This specimen is pictured in plate 4, figure 1; plate 5, figure 1; plate 6, figure 1; plate 8, plate 9, and plate 10. All descriptions of this specimen indicate that the pictured specimen is the holotype. In plate 4, however, the description reads female S. jonathani so it is unclear whether this is the same specimen or not. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cynocephalinae Simopithecus jonathani Holotype No
OLD 580 3695 22 - SC MAN-f, M 1957 104 - Unknown II Leakey, L., and Whitworth, T. 1958. Notes on the genus Simopithecus, with a description of a new species from Olduvai. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Cercopithecoidea Cercopithecidae Cynocephalinae Simopithecus jonathani 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 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
1510/1957 4181 MAN-f, P, M 1957 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 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 Carnivora Feliformia Hyaenidae No
K 14/1960 4184 MAX-f 1960 104 - Unknown Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. No information on the locality is given. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Carnivora Caniformia Cynoidea Canidae Canis mesomelas latirostris No
P.P.F. 4 4339 5 - FLK HOR 1955 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This specimen may represent a rare bovid from Olduvai. It is pictured in plate 88. 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 No Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Thaleroceros This specimen was reclassified as an unidentified Alcelaphine by Gentry and Gentry (1978). No
FLK I/E-G 391 2 5 - FLK L-MAN, L/R-RAM-f, L-P, L-M, R-P, R-M 104 - Unknown I middle (Zinjanthropus) 22 feet below the upper limit of Bed I. 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 Primates Strepsirrhini Lorisiformes Galagidae Galago senegalensis No
M. 14683 10383 Two upper tusks, probably of the same individual. 1934 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) I lower part, Middle Pleistocene Kamasian Pluvial LSB Leakey. 1958. Fossil Mammals of Africa: Some East African Pleistocene Suidae. British Museum. No. 14. British Museum Palaeontology Department 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 1942 Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Suoidea Suidae Potamochoerus majus Paratypes. Originally classified as Koiropotamus majus (Hopwood, 1934). Reclassified as Potamochoerus majus (Leakey, 1942). Yes
M. 17071 10384 The greater part of a mandible. 1953 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) II Chellean I Living Site LSB Leakey. 1958. Fossil Mammals of Africa: Some East African Pleistocene Suidae. British Museum. No. 14. marked Old. B.K.II, 1953/454; Brit. Mus. Palaeont. Dept. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 1958 Yes Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Suoidea Suidae Potamochoerus majus Yes
BK II 1957.662 208 10 - BK L-FRO, L-HOR-f 1957 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) II Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 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 Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Alcelaphinae Aepycerotini Aepyceros indet. This specimen was reclassified as Aepyceros melampus by Gentry and Gentry (1978). No
F. 948 163 UK 1941 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) II Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 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 No Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Alcelaphinae Alcelaphini Damaliscus antiquus This specimen was reclassified by Gentry and Gentry (1978) as Parmularius angusticornis. No