Day Outing – Tour of Paleontology & Archaeology Sections of NMK – Sat 15 Sept 2018

Saturday 15 September 2018

Behind the scenes visit to Paleontology & Archaeology Sections of the National Museums of Kenya

Time: 10 am – 12 pm

Paleontology Section is under the Earth Sciences department, one of the core research departments of the National Museums of Kenya. The Section is mandated to research, conserve and disseminate knowledge about Kenya’s fossil heritage. The Section holds extensive and well curated collections of fossils that include: the most complete record of human origins; a remarkable record of the distant ancestry of dinosaurs, mammals and reptiles; and a rich history of plant evolution and diversification. Kenya’s human fossil record dates back to the last 6 million years, making Kenya indisputably the oldest record holder and truly the Cradle of Mankind. We will get a rare opportunity to view original fossils of extinct carnivores, insects, elephants, hippos, short-necked giraffe and plants, among other fossils as well as replicas of over 7 human ancestral species.  It will also be an opportunity to learn some of the significant similarities and differences between chimps and humans.

Archaeology Section The archaeological collections at NMK were, obtained through professional excavation and the donations of enthusiasts since the 1920s. They consist of stone and bone artefacts, shell, pottery, faunal material as well as rock art reproductions. These collections cover all the important periods of human technological, behavioural and cultural development, from 3.3 million to 300 years ago. Collections from the Early Stone Age include the oldest artefacts in the world and reproduction of the oldest human footprints left more than 1.5 million years ago from the Turkana Basin. We will have a demonstration on how our ancestors made and used the stone tools. The researchers will share some of the major breakthroughs in Archaeology in the last 5 years; Discovery of unique fossil hand bones and of earliest site with modified faunal remains in isolation from stone tools in the Koobi Fora region; discovery of Rock Art sites from various parts of the country including Mt. Elgon area, Mbeere and Nakuru areas and discovery of archaeological in Mt. Kenya region. The collections highlight how our ancestors interacted with and adapted different to environments to emerge with the current different civilizations resent today. This finding not only make Kenya the cradle of humankind but also the cradle of innovation.

We shall visit these two departments, guided by palaeontologists and archaeologists for each section.

KMS Members – Adult Ksh 1,150, Child Ksh 550

Guests – Adult Ksh 1,350, Child Ksh 700

Payment Options; Safaricom: Mpesa paybill, Business No: 400800, Account: 6571570019

Airtel Money: 0780 755 231

RSVP: 0724 255 299,078 755 231, 2339158 or info@kenyamuseumsociety.org

Proceeds made will go towards development of the Earth Sciences’ various projects.