Olorgesailie – Acheulean Handaxe Factory (1.2 Ma)
Olorgesailie · Olorgesailie basin · Olorgesailie Formation
Lower Palaeolithic Acheulean·Homo erectus / early Homo·🇰🇪 Kajiado County, southern Rift Valley, Magadi basin east of Lake Magadi, Kenya
About
About Olorgesailie – Acheulean Handaxe Factory (1.2 Ma)
Open-air Acheulean handaxe factory of Homo erectus (1200–400 ka) with in-situ butchery of extinct giant baboon and hippo, with volcanic stratigraphy teaching hominin handaxe evolution from large-cutting-tool to Levallois. 990+ handaxes in 16 horizons. Museum on site.
Why it mattersSignificant regional centre illustrating cultural transition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology refinement
- 02Function of enclosures
Theories
- 01Trade corridor model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 1.2 Ma–490 ka; classic 900–600 ka horizon
- Period
- Lower Palaeolithic Acheulean
- Culture
- Homo erectus / early Homo
- Purpose
- Regional centre / fortified town and trade node
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
1.2 Ma–490 ka; classic 900–600 ka horizon
Initial construction
c. 1612 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
1.5794° S · 36.4456° E · 1000 m · 2 mapped features
Main Excavation Trench (DE/89 B)
pavementHandaxe pavement 10×8 m with 60 bifaces
1.5791° S · 36.4459° EButchery Site Elephas
butcheryHippo skeleton with handaxes clustered 2 m radius
1.5798° S · 36.4452° E
Gallery