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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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7924 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-L-1551 10482 296 - Dik Dik Hill 1986 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania Assortment of small fragments: approximately 25 rodent incisors, 1 distal femur leporidae, 5 crocodile teeth, 5 vertebral fragments, 2 fish, & others Unknown Yes
OVPP-L-1552 10483 296 - Dik Dik Hill 1986 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania Miscellaneous tooth fragments Unknown Mammalia Yes
OVPP-L-1553 10484 296 - Dik Dik Hill 1986 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania Miscellaneous tooth fragments Unknown Mammalia Yes
OVPP-L-1555 10486 296 - Dik Dik Hill 1986 126 - Mary Leakey Camp, Antiquities Station Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania Miscellaneous tooth fragments Unknown Mammalia Yes
OVPP-Suidae 3 581 29 - FC W UK 104 - Unknown II middle Both levels 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 Artiodactyla Suiformes Suoidea Suidae Indet. No
OVPP-Hippopotamus 9 588 29 - FC W UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops No
OVPP-Libytherium 6 610 29 - FC W UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Giraffoidea Giraffidae Libytherium olduvaiensis No
OVPP-Chelonia 7 695 29 - FC W UK 104 - Unknown II middle both levels Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Several tortoises are represented in beds 1, 2, and 4. There is no mention of how many specimens or what elements are preserved. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Reptilia Chelonia Indet. No
OF 67.48 761 29 - FC W CRA, R-HOR, L-HOR-f 1962 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) II upper 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 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Bovini Syncerus acoelotus No
FC West II 167 1195 29 - FC W R-MAN, d-P 104 - Unknown II 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 Antilopinae Neotragini No
FC West 1963.201 1264 29 - FC W R-HOR-f, CRA-f 1963 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Yes Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Antilopinae Antilopini Gazella sp. No
FC West 201 1305 29 - FC W HOR 104 - Unknown 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 Antilopinae Antilopini Gazella sp. No
OVPP-Elephas 14 505 29 - FC W UK 104 - Unknown II middle floor 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 Proboscidea Tethytheria Behemota Elephantoidea Elephantidae Elephas recki The author says this is the "evolved form" of E. recki. No
OVPP-Stylohipparion 8 531 29 - FC W UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae Equinae Stylohipparion sp. No
OVPP-Ceratotherium 10 544 29 - FC W UK 104 - Unknown II middle Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. The author indicates there are several specimens in the British Museum of Natural History. He also indicates a collection housed by Dr. Kohl-Larson. This specimen number may be changed when the original elements are observed in their respective collections. The author suggests that previously published accounts of this species may have actually been from deeper/older deposits such as Bed 5. There are no specifics of what types of elements have been preserved but several are implied. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Tapiromorpha Rhinocerotoidea Rhinocerotidae Rhinocerotinae Rhinocerotini Ceratotherium simum No
OVPP-Testudines 13 3082 29 - FC W CARA-f, PLAS 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) -- 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 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
OH 19 3734 29 - FC W 288 - 89 M-f 1963 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II Middle 15 feet above chert horizon Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Half of a very worn molar. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae No
OVPP-Testudines 13 6849 29 - FC W CARA-f, PLAS 105 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (?) -- 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 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-Crocodylus 15 354 28 - PDK UK 104 - Unknown I lower 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 Reptilia Crocodilia Crocodylidae Crocodylus sp. No
OVPP-Hippopotamus 3 582 28 - PDK UK 104 - Unknown I lower 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 Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops No
PDK IV 1970.1498 1082 28 - PDK L-HOR, FRO-f 1970 104 - Unknown IV 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 Alcelaphinae Alcelaphini Rabaticeras arambourgi The authors suggest this specimen is "probably" from R. arambourgi. No
MNK II 3258 867 27 - MNK L-HOR, CRA-f, L-FRO 104 - Unknown II 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. This specimen is pictured in plate 12. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Alcelaphinae Alcelaphini Megalotragus kattwinkelli No
MNK II 2716 902 27 - MNK L-HOR-f 104 - Unknown II 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. This specimen is pictured in plate 16, figure 1. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Alcelaphinae Alcelaphini Connochaetes taurinus olduvaiensis The authors suggest this specimen may be from C. taurinus and if so, would be the earliest of this subspecies at Olduvai. No
OVPP-Notochoerus 7 568 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Suoidea Suidae Tetraconodontinae Notochoerus sp. No
OVPP-Hippopotamus 8 587 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This species is found at MNK and MNK Main. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops No
OVPP-Chelonia 8 696 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Several tortoises are represented in beds 1, 2, and 4. There is no mention of how many specimens or what elements are preserved.Both sites at MNK contain Chelonia specimens. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Reptilia Chelonia Indet. No
OVPP-Pelorovis 86 752 27 - MNK I?, M?, P? 104 - Unknown II 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 author states that teeth have been found at MNK but does not indicate which type(s) of teeth have been found. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Bovini Pelorovis oldowayensis No
OVPP-Tilapia 4 313 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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-Anura 2 337 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Amphibia Anura Indet. No
OVPP-Crocodylus 8 347 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Reptilia Crocodilia Crocodylidae Crocodylus niloticus No
OVPP-Crocodylus 22 361 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Reptilia Crocodilia Crocodylidae Crocodylus sp. No
OVPP-Struthio 6 402 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This specimen is described as being from the "Skull Site" by the author. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Aves Struthioniformes Struthioni Struthionides Struthionidae Struthio sp. No
OVPP-Heterocephalus 5 454 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle both sites 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 Bathyergidae Heterocephalinae Heterocephalus sp. No
OVPP-Canidae 2 463 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle 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 Mammalia Carnivora Caniformia Cynoidea Canidae Indet. No
OVPP-Elephas 12 503 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle both sites 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 Proboscidea Tethytheria Behemota Elephantoidea Elephantidae Elephas recki The author says this is the "evolved form" of E. recki. No
OVPP-Equus 9 516 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle both sites 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 Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae Equinae Equini Equus oldowayensis No
OVPP-Stylohipparion 6 529 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This species occurs at MNK and MNK Main. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Perissodactyla Hippomorpha Equidae Equinae Stylohipparion sp. No
OVPP-Ceratotherium 8 542 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle both sites Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. The author indicates there are several specimens in the British Museum of Natural History. He also indicates a collection housed by Dr. Kohl-Larson. This specimen number may be changed when the original elements are observed in their respective collections. The author suggests that previously published accounts of this species may have actually been from deeper/older deposits such as Bed 5. There are no specifics of what types of elements have been preserved but several are implied. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Perissodactyla Ceratomorpha Tapiromorpha Rhinocerotoidea Rhinocerotidae Rhinocerotinae Rhinocerotini Ceratotherium simum No
OVPP-Mesochoerus 3 551 27 - MNK UK 104 - Unknown II middle Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This species is found at MNK and MNK Main. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Suoidea Suidae Suinae Suini Mesochoerus olduvaiensis No
MNK II 2070 1112 27 - MNK MAN, L-M 104 - Unknown II 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. This specimen is pictured in plate 36, figure 4. 137 - A. Gentry Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Alcelaphinae Alcelaphini Indet. No