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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
OH 4 3720 8 - MK 281 - 11 P , M , MAN 1959 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I Lower Surface. 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. Paratype. Two isolated teeth (lower molar and upper premolar) and one M3 in a mandible. Found in small block of consolidated tuff. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 282 - H. Mukiri 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis Paratype 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 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 16 3731 72 - FLK Maiko Gully 283 - 45 CRA-f , TOOTH , MAN , 1963 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II base Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Upper and lower dentition, calotte, and > 1500 unidentified fragments due to cattle trampling. Majority of fragments found on surface of Tuff IF, some teeth found in situ, 2 feet above Tuff IF. 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 habilis Leakey LSB, 1964 refers to this specimen as Homo erectus. Leakey, Tobias, and Napier provisionally assign it to Homo habilis (referred material, not paratype) (1964), and Leakey MD, 1971 refers to it as cf. Australopithecus. Yes
OH 17 3732 72 - FLK Maiko Gully d-M 1963 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II Surface Stream bed of Maiko Gully Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis No
OH 21 3736 7 - FLK North L-M 1968 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I Upper Surface Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Upper left M1, small and unworn. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis No
OH 24 3739 74 - DK E CRA , M , P 1968 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I Lower Surface Tobias, PV. 1991. The Skulls, endocasts and teeth of Homo habilis. Cambridge: University Press. Cranium is crushed. Teeth not specified. From same horizon as OH 4. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis No
OH 27 3742 37 - HWK EE R-M 1969 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 3 meters below Tuff IF Surface. Tobias, PV. 1991. The Skulls, endocasts and teeth of Homo habilis. Cambridge: University Press. Lower M3, unworn. "It is not possible to indicate more than broadly the original position of this tooth, since the clays above and below Tuff IF, as well as the Sandy Conglomerate, are all fossiliferous in this areaand yield mammalian teeth in a similar state of preservation to the hominid molar...the tooth was derived from either Upper Bed I or Lower Bed II" (Tobias, 1991:849). Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis No
OH 35 3750 6 - FLK NN TIB , FIB 1960 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I 22 Davis, P. R. 1964. Hominid fossils from Bed I, Olduvai Gorge, Tanganyika. A tibia and fibula. Nature. 201, 967. Almost complete. Attributed to same individual as skull fragments and teeth of OH 6 but appear to be more mature (Tobias, 1991). Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis No
OH 37 3752 5 - FLK L-MAN , M , M 1971 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II Middle Surface, probably from sandy conglomerate in Middle Bed II. Leakey, M.D. 1978. Olduvai fossil hominids:their stratigraphic positions and associations. In: Jolly, CJ, editor. Early hominids of Africa. London:Duckworth. P. 3-16. Left half mandible with M1-M2. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis No
OH 39 3754 37 - HWK EE TOOTH , d-TOOTH 1972 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania I Upper In fallen block from Upper Bed I. Surface. Leakey, M.D. 1978. Olduvai fossil hominids:their stratigraphic positions and associations. In: Jolly, CJ, editor. Early hominids of Africa. London:Duckworth. P. 3-16. Upper dentitions: Partial permanent and deciduous dentition. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis No
OH 41 3756 37 - HWK EE L-M 1972 122 - National Museum and House of Culture, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania II Lower Leakey, M.D. 1978. Olduvai fossil hominids:their stratigraphic positions and associations. In: Jolly, CJ, editor. Early hominids of Africa. London:Duckworth. P. 3-16. Upper M1 or M2. Specimen previously housed at National Museum of Kenya. 142 - M. D. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Primates Anthropoidea Haplorhini Hominoidea Hominidae Homininae Hominini Homo habilis No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 1 3815 7 - FLK North MAN, (n=2) I 2 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex granti No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 2 3816 7 - FLK North MAN I 3 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex granti No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 3 3817 7 - FLK North MAN, (n=3) I 123 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. The following specimen is specifically mentioned by the authors: Left mandible with lightly worn P4-M3 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex granti No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 4 3818 7 - FLK North MAN, (n=9) I 5 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. The following specimens are specifically mentioned by the authors: A. Left mandible with lightly worn I2-M3 B. Left mandible with moderately worn M1-M3 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex granti No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 5 3819 7 - FLK North MAN, (n=3) I 6 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. The following specimen is specifically mentioned by the author: Left mandibular fragment with I2-M3 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex granti No
OVPP-Sylvisorex 6 3820 6 - FLK NN MAN I 3 Butler, P., and Greenwood, M. 1979. Soricidae (Mammalia) from the Early Pleistocene of Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 67:329-379. Specimen is a "right mandibular fragment with moderately worn M1 and M2 and the alveoli of M3" 150 - Butler and Greenwood Unknown Mammalia Insectivora Soricoidea Soricidae Sylvisorex granti No
OVPP-Gazella 2 190 10 - BK FRO, L/R-HOR-f 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 Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Antilopinae Antilopini Gazella granti No
M. 21461 118 13 - RK CRA, R/L-HOR, R-I, R-P, R-M 1931 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) 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 plates 38 and 39. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Strepsicerotini Strepsiceros grandis Holotype. Gentry and Gentry (1978) reclassified this specimen as Tragelaphus strepsiceros grandis. No
M. 14549 119 HOR-f 1932 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) I, II, III Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Leakey (1965) indicated this specimen was found on the surface of Bed III, though the museum's label indicates Bed I and markings on the horn core indicate Bed II. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Strepsicerotini Strepsiceros grandis Gentry and Gentry (1978) reclassified this specimen as Tragelaphus strepsiceros grandis. No
M. 21469 120 12 - CK R-HOR-f 1935 106 - Natural History Museum UK (?) IV Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. No information is given about elements preserved. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition No Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Strepsicerotini Strepsiceros grandis Gentry and Gentry (1978) reclassified this specimen as Tragelaphus strepsiceros grandis. No
OVPP-Strepsiceros 3 619 32 - MNK Main 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 Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Strepsicerotini Strepsiceros grandis This specimen was reclassified as Tragelaphus strepsiceros grandis by Gentry and Gentry (1978). No
OVPP-Strepsiceros 4 620 19 - SHK 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. 137 - A. Gentry 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Strepsicerotini Strepsiceros grandis This specimen was reclassified as Tragelaphus strepsiceros grandis by Gentry and Gentry (1978). No
OVPP-Strepsiceros 5 621 10 - BK UK 104 - Unknown II upper Leakey MD. (1971) Olduvai Gorge, Vol. 3: excavations in Beds I & II 1960-1963. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. 137 - A. Gentry 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Bovoidea Bovidae Bovinae Strepsicerotini Strepsiceros grandis This specimen was reclassified as Tragelaphus strepsiceros grandis by Gentry and Gentry (1978). No
OVPP-Giraffa 1 115 11 - HWK SKEL 104 - Unknown II lower Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. This is a complete skeleton. Some parts are pictured in plates 33, 34, and 35. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Yes Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminantia Giraffoidea Giraffidae Giraffinae Giraffini Giraffa gracilis Syntype No
UCMP 42061 12374 CUBNAV 1948 276 - University of California Museum of Paleontology 130 - L.S.B. Leakey Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Ruminatia Giraffoidea Giraffidae Giraffinae Giraffini Giraffa gracilis Yes
MB.Ma.33860 9214 128 - Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany -- Mfn room number: 2251. Cabinet: P0451-6. Drawer: 71. Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops Inventoried by Faysal Bibi in 2012. No
? 9220 CRA 128 - Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany -- Holotype. Reck field number: XX 1475?. Mfn room number: Outside 2251. Cabinet: Vitrine. 273 - Reck expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops Inventoried by Faysal Bibi in 2012. No
OVPP-Hippopotamus 1 112 CRA, MAX, MAN 104 - Unknown I, II, IV Leakey LSB. 1965. Olduvai Gorge 1951-1961, Volume 1: Fauna and Background. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. The author mentions several specimens from beds 1, 2, and 4. 130 - L.S.B. Leakey 264 - Leakey family expedition Unknown Mammalia Artiodactyla Suiformes Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops 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-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
OVPP-Hippopotamus 4 583 5 - FLK UK 104 - Unknown I middle Upper layers 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 Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops No
OVPP-Hippopotamus 5 584 7 - FLK North UK 104 - Unknown I upper 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 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 Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops No
OVPP-Hippopotamus 6 585 7 - FLK North UK 104 - Unknown II 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
OVPP-Hippopotamus 7 586 14 - HWK E UK 104 - Unknown II lower 1, 2 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 Hippopotamoidea Hippopotamidae Hippopotaminae Hippopotamus gorgops 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-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