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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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1334 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-Alcelaphini 1 214 10 - BK L-HOR 1960 104 - Unknown II Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Several alcelaphine horn cores are mentioned in the monograph. One is shown in plate 92. Gentry and Gentry say this specimen is of "Type B" variety. 137 - A. Gentry 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Alcelaphinae Alcelaphini Indet. This specimen was reclassified as Damaliscus niro by Gentry and Gentry (1978). this is of the Type B variety according to Gentry and Gentry (1978). No
OVPP-Bitis 13 1940 5 - FLK L-MAX 104 - Unknown I middle (Zinjanthropus) 22 feet below the upper limit of bed I. Rage J. 1973. Fossil snakes from Olduvai, Tanzania. In: Fossil vertebrates of Africa, vol. 3:1-6. This specimen is pictured in Plate 1, figures 5-8. 149 - J. C. Rage Yes Reptilia Squamata Viperidae Bitis olduvaiensis Holotype No
OVPP-Cichlidae 15 2716 6 - FLK NN SPINE-f, URHL-f, R/L-OPER-f, PTER, VER-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. It is unclear how many individuals are represented by these specimens. They were recovered in trench III. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Unknown Actinopterygii Perciformes Cichlidae No
OVPP-Civettictis 3 86 6 - FLK NN L-MAN, L-d-P, L-P 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 Yes Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Viverridae Civettictis sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 11 2460 6 - FLK NN SKULL-f, PCG-f, VER, OPER, IOPL, EPHL, SPINE, RAY 1960 104 - Unknown I Scree 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=18. Multiple of each element is represented; authors do not specify numbers for each element. It is unclear which specimens belong together. 151 - Greenwood and Todd No Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 12 2479 6 - FLK NN SKULL-f, SOCC-f, PTRC-f, FRO, MSEH-f, ETHM, URHL-f, EPHL, CRHL, HMND, QUAD, ARTC, DNTY, PAL, CLEI, COR, OPER, SPINE, PCG-f, VER, PTYG-f, RAY-f 1960 104 - Unknown I 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=62. Multiple of each element is represented; authors do not specify numbers for each element. It is unclear which specimens belong together. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 16 2551 6 - FLK NN FRO, VER, SPHT, DRMS, R-SUBO, L-OPER, SUPP-f, R/L-ARTC, R-CLEI-f, SPINE, RAY-f 1960 104 - Unknown I 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=4. Multiple of each element is represented. These specimens are from trench II, extension E. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 17 2557 6 - FLK NN R/L-DRMS-f, SOCC, R/L-PTRC, FRO-f, R-EPHL-f, CRHL, L-QUAD, R/L-ARTC, R/L-SPINE 1960 104 - Unknown I 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=2 or 3. Authors state that size of the bones suggests 3 individuals. These specimens are from trench III. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 19 2565 6 - FLK NN SKULL-f, ETHM-f, MSEH-f, R-PTRC, SPHT-f, FRO, SOCC, R/L-PAL, OPER, R/L-EPHL, URHL, RAY, R/L-QUAD, R/L-ARTC, R/L-DNTY, R/L-CLEI, R/L-SPINE, VER 1961 104 - Unknown I 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=5. Multiple of each element is represented. These specimens are from trench VI. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 20 2570 6 - FLK NN SKULL-f, ETHM-f, MSEH, L-FRO, R/L-SPHT, R/L-PSTM, SOCC, R/L-PAL, R-OPER-f, R/L-DRMS, HMND, URHL, RAY, R-QUAD, L-ARTC, R-DNTY-f, R/L-CLEI, R/L-SPINE, VER 104 - Unknown I 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=2. These specimens are from trench VI. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 21 2573 6 - FLK NN FRO, MSEH, SPHT, L-OPER, SKULL-f, L/R-QUAD, L/R-DNTY, RAY-f 104 - Unknown I 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. These specimens are from trench VI. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 22 2576 6 - FLK NN L-ETHM, SOCC, SKULL-f, R-PORB, L-PAL, R/L-EPHL, R/L-CRHL, R/L-ARTC, CLEI-f, VER, L/R-QUAD, L-DNTY 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=66. Multiple of each element is represented; authors do not specify the numbers for every element. These specimens are from trench II. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 23 2644 6 - FLK NN SKULL-f, R/L-OPER, ARTC-f, QUAD-f, DNTY-f, URH:, R/L-RAY-f, CLEI-f, VER-f, ARCH-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=19. Multiple of each element is represented, authors do not specify number for every element. These specimens are from trench II, "long strip". 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 24 2667 6 - FLK NN SKULL-f, R-SUBO, MSEH, SOCC, R/L-FRO, L-DRMS, PAL, R-QUAD, R/L-ARTC, R-DNTY, URHL, R/L-RAY-f, CLEI-f, VER-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=49. Multiple of each element is represented, authors do not specify number for every element. Specimens were found in trench III. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 25 2717 6 - FLK NN SKULL-f, FRO-f, PSPH, PTRC-f, L-SORB, QUAD, ARTC-f 1960 104 - Unknown I 2 Greenwood, P., and Todd, E. 1970. Fish remains from Olduvai. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 2 New York: Academic Press. pp. 225-241. This specimen is represented by a partially articulated skull. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 26 2718 6 - FLK NN SKULL-f, SOCC-f, R/L-PAL, URHL, R-ARTC, R/L-DENTY, R/L-SPINE, VER-f 1960 104 - Unknown I 2 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=9. Multiple of each element is represented, authors do not specify number for every element. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 27 2728 6 - FLK NN VOM, SKULL-f, FRO, L-SORB, L-SUBO, MSEH-f, L-OPER, IOPL-f, SUPP, CRHL, R/L-EPHL-f, R/L-ARTC, DNTY-f, CLEI-f, R/L-SPINE, VER-f 1960 104 - Unknown I 2 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=49. Multiple of each element is represented, authors do not specify number of every element. These specimens come from trench III 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 28 2780 5 - FLK NRCR-f, PCG-f, VER-f, R/L-ARTC, L-DNTY, URHL, R/L-PAL, R/L-SPINE 1960 104 - Unknown I middle (Zinjanthropus) 22 feet below the upper limit of bed I. 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=7. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Unknown Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 30 2788 5 - FLK FRO, SOCC, SPHT, R-PTRC, L-ETHM 1960 104 - Unknown I middle (Zinjanthropus) 22 feet below the upper limit of bed I. Greenwood, P., and Todd, E. 1970. Fish remains from Olduvai. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 2 New York: Academic Press. pp. 225-241. It is unclear how many individuals are represented by these specimens. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Unknown Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 32 2804 65 - SHK S R/L-PTER 104 - Unknown Greenwood, P., and Todd, E. 1970. Fish remains from Olduvai. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 2 New York: Academic Press. pp. 225-241. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Unknown Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 34 2807 66 - SHK SS L-SPINE 1955 104 - Unknown III Greenwood, P., and Todd, E. 1970. Fish remains from Olduvai. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 2 New York: Academic Press. pp. 225-241. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Unknown Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias This specimen is "probably" from Clarias. No
OVPP-Clarias 36 2832 10 - BK R/L-FRO, MSEH, R-SUBO, CLEI-f, VER-f 1955 104 - Unknown II 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 or 4. They are described as coming from OLD/53 BK II, 153. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Unknown Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Clarias 40 3857 6 - FLK NN L-CLEI-f 1960 I 2 Greenwood, P., and Todd, E. 1970. Fish remains from Olduvai. In: Fossil Vertebrates of Africa,vol. 2 New York: Academic Press. pp. 225-241. This specimen was found in trench II extension E. 151 - Greenwood and Todd Yes Actinopterygii Siluriformes Clariidae Clarias sp. No
OVPP-Gazella 14 1356 7 - FLK North L-M 1960 104 - Unknown Gentry, A. W. 1966 Fossil Antilopini of East Africa. Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History, Geology. 12: 43-106. 9 pls. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Antilopinae Antilopini Gazella wellsi No
OVPP-Gazella 15 1357 7 - FLK North L-M 104 - Unknown I 1, 2, 3 Gentry, A. W. 1966 Fossil Antilopini of East Africa. Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History, Geology. 12: 43-106. 9 pls. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Antilopinae Antilopini Gazella wellsi No
OVPP-Genetta 4 89 6 - FLK NN L-MAN, L-P, L-d-P 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 Carnivora Feliformia Viverridae Viverrinae Genetta No
OVPP-Geochelone 1 3106 10 - BK R-HYPL-f 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) II 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 Cryptodira Testidinoidea Testudinidae Geochelone pardalis No
OVPP-Geochelone 4 3109 24 - DK NRL-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 Cryptodira Testidinoidea Testudinidae Geochelone pardalis The author mentions there are over 3,000 fossilized turtle fragments from Olduvai Gorge, 98% of which are from the species Pelusios sinuatus. However, it is unclear which specimens belong to which species based on the description given. When it was unclear, the specimen is only referred to as belonging to the Order Testudines. No
OVPP-Gorgon 1 130 L-FRO, L-HOR-f 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) I Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This specimen is in the BMNH collections but a specimen number is not given. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Bovini Gorgon olduvaiensis No
OVPP-Herpestes 4 7654 7 - FLK North L-M I 4 Petter, G. 1973. Carnivores Pleistocenes du ravin d’Olduvai (Tanzanie). Fossil vertebrates of Africa 3:43-100. Specimen is an upper M1. Unknown Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Herpestidae Herpestinae Herpestes ichneumon No
OVPP-Herpestes 5 3893 7 - FLK North L-M I 4 Petter, G. 1973. Carnivores Pleistocenes du ravin d’Olduvai (Tanzanie). Fossil vertebrates of Africa 3:43-100. Specimen is an upper M1. Unknown Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Herpestidae Herpestinae Herpestes ichneumon No
OVPP-Herpestinae 1 70 7 - FLK North L-P 104 - Unknown I upper 1 Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. A few isolated teeth perhaps belonging to the subfamily Herpestinae. Only the pre-molar is mentioned directly. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Herpestidae Herpestinae Author placed this taxon in Family Viverridae, but the specimen "perhaps" belongs to the subfamily Herpestinae. No
OVPP-Heterocephalus 3 2902 7 - FLK North SKULL-f, R/L-M 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. This specimen is pictured in figure 1-3. 147 - C. Denys Unknown Mammalia Rodentia Bathyergidae Heterocephalinae Heterocephalus jaegeri Hypodigm No
OVPP-Heterocephalus 6 2901 7 - FLK North SKULL-f, R/L-M 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. This specimen is picture in figure 1-1 and 1-2. 147 - C. Denys Yes Mammalia Rodentia Bathyergidae Heterocephalinae Heterocephalus jaegeri Holotype? No
OVPP-Homo 1 3961 6 - FLK NN L-PAR, R-PAR I Tobias, P. 1964. The Olduvai Bed I Hominine with Special Reference to its Cranial Capacity. Nature 202:3-4. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/28 Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae No
OVPP-Ichneumia 1 3905 7 - FLK North L-MAX-f, P, (n=2) I 4 -- Specimen is a fragment of left maxilla with P3 and P4. Unknown Mammalia Carnivora Feliformia Herpestidae Herpestinae Ichneumia albicauda No
OVPP-L-202 8351 L-MAX-f, P, M 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania -- Specimen label: OLD-3?-??-8. Box #: OLD 86. Box label: Teeth. 158 - W. Reiner 2012/07/01 Unknown Y Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae No
OVPP-L-41 4008 M, P, L-MAN-f 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania -- Specimen label: OLD-88-24?1-5. Box #: OLD881-E. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/29 Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae No
OVPP-L-9 3976 L-MAN-f, M, TOOTH 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania -- Specimen label: OLD87-115-15; Box #: OLD87. 157 - L. Hlusko 2012/6/28 Unknown Y Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae No
OVPP-Latisternon 1 3114 24 - DK L-EPLS 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) II -- The authors mention "thousands" of fragments and a few complete shells of this species found at Olduvai. 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 Latisternon microsulcae Holotype No