KARIANDUSI PREHISTORIC SITE

Kariandusi Prehistoric Site is an archaeological site located in the Rift Valley of Kenya. It is situated near the town of Gilgil, approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Lake Naivasha. The site is known for its significant findings related to early human occupation and toolmaking activities. Such activities include;

• Age and Period:

• The site dates back to the Lower Paleolithic period, making it one of the oldest archaeological sites in East Africa.
• The age of the site is estimated to be around 1 million years, based on the geological and archaeological evidence.
• Stone tools and artifacts have been discovered at Kariandusi, providing insights into the technological abilities and behavior of early hominins.
• The tools found at the site are mainly handaxes, cleavers, and other bifacial tools, which were likely used for cutting and processing various materials.
• The remain fossils of animal bones have been found at the site, contributing to our understanding of the prehistoric environment and the types of animals that coexisted with early humans.

• Research and Excavations:

• The initial excavations at Kariandusi were conducted by Louis Leakey in the early 20th century, and subsequent research has been carried out by various archaeologists and the ongoing archaeological work aims to uncover more details about the site's history and the behaviors of the hominins who inhabited it.
• The Kariandusi Museum, located near the archaeological site, provides visitors with information about the prehistory of the region and displays some of the artifacts discovered during excavations.

Kariandusi Prehistoric Site contributes valuable information to the understanding of early human evolution, technology, and adaptation in East Africa during the Lower Paleolithic period. The site has played a significant role in shaping our knowledge of the ancient past and the development of human cultures in the region.