Sweet, sensational, or supreme. These are all ways you could describe today. In all seriousness though, this may be a bit exaggerated to help with the “S” alliteration theme of today’s blog. Now, without further ado please allow me to give a breakdown of the day:
Skulls
We started off the morning by heading to an area nearby the research station to conduct our own miniature study which I will discuss more in the Scat section. However, before we started this study we had a walk around a seasonal watering hole that was currently all dried up during the current Tanzanian dry season. There were so many bones scattered all across the area near the water, but two large bones stuck out like sore thumbs. These were the skulls of wildebeests (pictured) that were relatively new given the condition of the fossilized skull and horns. It was amazing to see how intact both skulls were and the condition of the teeth as well. Having just talked about teeth identification the day before, this was an awesome sight to see in the field.
Wildebeest Skull (no.1)
Wildebeest Skull (no.2)
Scat
In the morning, we started our own miniature research study using transect tapes and quadrats. As I mentioned, we were in an area of a seasonal watering hole that was currently dry. For this study, we decided to measure out a distance leading away from the water edge and to observe the presence or absence of scat in a quadrat every 10ft along the distance. From this study, our basic understanding was that the area surrounding the water was mostly covered in scat since almost every quadrat had scat. This attempted study also taught us about the importance of piloting studies for projects in order to troubleshoot and test feasibility.
Anna, Isabella, and Me During Quadrat Sampling
Shifting Sands
Also today, we visited a cool natural phenomenon known as Shifting Sands (pictured). This is a large sand dune in Olduvai that travels at a measurable rate and predictable direction each year. The wind consistently blows in the same direction and the sand is magnetic which helps it to stick together and move uniformly over time.
Shifting Sands
Also, today, I had the chance to present on my research method: stable isotope analysis. It was very cool to provide some information on a reconstruction method that has not been mentioned as much on this trip. Unfortunately, the materials and equipment needed for the technique are in the US and Spain, so exposure to the method here in Tanzania are more limited.
We have just a few days left in Olduvai, so I am looking forward to seeing what other new experiences I will get to be part of!
-Milton
