The Olduvai Gorge, also known as Oldupai Gorge or Olduvai Valley, is a canyon located in northern Tanzania, East Africa. This gorge is often referred to as the cradle of mankind, as it has yielded numerous early hominid remains and fossilized bones, making it a significant site for studying the earliest human ancestors.

The earliest direct ancestors of modern humans were the “Homo habilis,” also known as “Handy Man,” who descended from early hominids known as “Australopithecus”. They had distinct differences from their ancestors, with round skulls, human-like faces, slightly larger brain sizes, and the ability to walk upright and manufacture tools. The name “Homo habilis” was coined by British archaeologist Louis Leakey, who discovered their remains in the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Although he only found fragments of the remains, he managed to identify the species and named them “Handy Man” based on their tool-making abilities.

Olduvai Gorge
Reasons to visit: Significance for studying the earliest human ancestors
Continent: Africa
Country: Tanzania
Region: Arusha Region