Extract

Archaeological survey and excavations in the Upper Member of the Koobi Fora Formation provide evidence of hominid activities during the early Pleistocene which date between 1.2 and 1.6 million years ago. The analysis of lithic remains from a complex of 16 excavated localities reveals a distinctive local series of stone assemblages which we propose to call the Karari Industry. A series of heavy-duty core scrapers comprises the major component of this industry but choppers, discoids and polyhedrons are also common. Early Acheulian-type bifaces have been recovered in small numbers from the same beds.

The excavation strategy has been to sample traces of hominid activities in different sedimentary contexts. Geologic and micro-stratigraphic studies show that the archaeological sites were located in or near stream channels and in river floodplain contexts. The location of these sites provides a key to understanding the early Pleistocene man/land relationships represented in the area.

Archaeological sites with associated hominid remains and hominid finds in various parts of the paleolandscape show the sympatric coexistence of two hominid taxa: Homo sp. and Australopi-thecus c.f boisei.