Good morning starshine, the earth says hello!
My tent looks so pretty under the rising sun
Today marks the first day in history that Rice students have assisted with archaeological excavations at Olduvai Gorge! We headed over to site BK, a 1.35 million-year-old site with lots of megafauna fossils, evidence of hominin butchery, and a previously discovered partial hominin skeleton. This site was a creek, so it drew a lot of species. The bones being excavated are now specifically being analyzed for modification by carnivores or hominins. The site spans two layers. The uppermost dig layer is level 3, and the lower dig layer (where the hominin was found) is level 4.
Site BK level 3
Site BK level 4
Our tools included a paintbrush (to sweep away sediments), a dustpan and bucket (to collect sediment), a flathead screwdriver (to use as a chisel), and a rock (to drive the screwdriver into the ground). We got to pick out our own rocks from a prehistoric river delta. I ended up finding the best rock I’ve ever gotten the pleasure of holding in my life, and it turns out that its comfort in my hand was not a coincidence. Dr. Manuel told me that my rock was used as a battering stone by hominins 1.5 million years ago! I could not believe that I had the same criteria for picking a stone tool that a hominin did, and using that stone tool during my excavations was surreal. It’s like when a kid plays with their mother’s childhood toys but way cooler.
Picking out rocks
I love my rock
I picked a plot on level 4 and actually uncovered a lot! In the morning dig, I found three bones and one stone tool! We had to mark bones with red/orange/yellow push pins and stone tools with blue/green push pins.
Level 4 bone fragment
Level 4 bone fragment
Level 4 bone fragment
Over the course of the morning, I developed back pain that I found really hard to ignore. I thought it was from bending over to dig, but a sudden onset of other symptoms confirmed that it was a cardiac issue. I let my professors know, and they immediately got me medical help and drove me to the camp physician. I fully recovered very quickly, and when I went to the dining area to join them at lunch, I found a plate already prepared for me. I will take this as an opportunity to thank and praise the Olduvai team and the resources that are available to me. I have felt so cared for, and I really appreciate everyone’s dedication to making my experience here as enjoyable as possible. My classmates and I could not have been more welcomed and supported at Olduvai.
In the afternoon, we took a trip to a nearby weekly Maasai market. There were so many people, and there was a lot of variety of goods. I followed Kamden around and was amazed by his social fluency. He can talk to pretty much anybody no matter any language barriers. I basically experienced the market through Kamden and had a great time doing so. The Maasai also enjoyed interacting with him, and he drew a large crowd when he started belly dancing with a traditional beaded belt on. I ended up getting a handmade metal bracelet!
Maasai market
We continued excavations at BK in the afternoon, and the weather was so much better. It was a lot cooler, and there was even a slight breeze! I stayed on level 4 but moved to a plot with a deep pit next to it, so I was able to stand while digging. This really helped my back because I didn’t have to strain to bend over from a sitting position. I uncovered even more bones and stone tools!
Standing-friendly level 4 plot
Level 4 bones (L: hippo tooth fragment)
Stone tool fragment
To finish the night, we went through the camera trap photos that were collected during our stay in Olduvai Gorge. We sadly didn’t see a leopard fighting a rhino, but we did see lots of goats and cattle, zebras, giraffes, an impala, jackals, birds, and what Dr. Scott described as a “small mammal chupacabra.”
My farmer’s tan may have gotten a lot worse today, but my love for Tanzania got a lot stronger.
