OVERVIEW
Palaeoanthropological research in East Africa has brought many significant fossil discoveries to the worlds attention and dramatically increased our understanding of the intriguing story of our past. It is now clear that humans evolved in Africa, and that we can trace our ancestry back to a relatively recent common origin. Questions remain, however, regarding  the details of how this epic drama came about. As conflicts increasingly divide modern people around the world, an understanding of our common past becomes an urgent ingredient in initiatives for peaceful coexistence of peoples around the world with diverse ethnic affiliations.

Over the last three decades, research has been conducted in the Turkana Basin under the Koobi Fora Research Project, producing an impressive collection of fossils including human ancestors. The fossil exposures cover an area some 900 square miles (2300 km²). Continued exploration of the fossil deposits primarily on the east side of Lake Turkana over the next five years will provide an key opportunity to resolve some major questions in human evolution in the interval between 2.3 million and 700,000 years ago.

A new, intensive research initiative is planned over the next five years that will address specific questions relevant to the emergence of Homo and the spread of our own species Homo sapiens out of Africa into colder more challenging habitats in northern latitudes. It is planned to run continuous fieldwork throughout the year rather than to concentrate the annual field expeditions solely in a three-month field season as has been done previously. At the same time, new approaches will be incorporated, using the latest technology and methods of analysis. By intensifying the exploration, the increased field presence will more effectively recover evidence of the past.

In 1973, approximately 1,600 km² on the eastern side of Lake Turkana was set aside as a National Park. This protected area contains some of the richest fossil deposits as well as a unique modern fauna and flora. Unfortunately, due to lack of resources in the park system, the fossil beds are increasingly threatened by livestock encroachment. Through the presence of research teams in the area over the next five years, the project will provide additional logistical support to improve park management and security, to raise public awareness as to its importance, and to provide  improved community relations.

READ THE FULL KOOBI FORA RESEARCH PROJECT FUNDING PROPOSAL

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