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History
Projects unveiled to mark Zinja Golden Jubilee
Posted: Wednesday August 13, 2008 6:33 PM BT
Organisers of the 50th anniversary since the discovery of the famous Zinjathropus skull at Olduvai Gorge have unveiled a five year plan for paleoanthropological capacity building in the country.
These include establishing a national research institute for paleoathropology and paleo-sciences that will also support training programmes for scientists, fossil extractors and hunters and site guides.
Other major projects include construction of Dr. Mary Leakey Memorial Museum at Olduvai and a new facility at the Natural History Museum in Arusha. Dr. Leakey discovered the 1.75 million year old skull on July 17, 1959 after nearly 30 years of archaeological research at the gorge in Ngorongoro district alongside with her husband Dr. Louis Leakey. Next year will mark the Golden Jubilee since the discovery that put the remote area on the world map overnight as a possible cradle of mankind and one of the important sites on human evolution studies. Dr. Jackson Njau, a curator at the Natural History Museum in Arusha and a member of the Zinj Golden Jubilee said several infrastructural development projects would be implemented from end of this year to 2013. Top among them is establishment of a national institute for paleoathropological research and improvement of archaeological sites spread in various parts of the country. He said several international organisations, including research bodies have shown willingness to support the government to set up the institute. He added that it was too early to say where the proposed institution would be based but confirmed that the matter has been given green light by the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. Dr. Njau explained that Dr. Mary Leakey Tanzania Fund for Cultural Heritage will be officially launched in December next year, few months after the Zinj Golden Jubilee slated for July 17, 2009. The Fund is aimed at supporting casting and fossil preparation programmes, training and conservation, renovation and restoration of several sites worked on in Olduvai and the 3.5 million years old hominid footprints at Laetoli. The proposed memorial museum for the late Mary Leakey, who died in Kenya in 1996 at the age of 83, will include an information centre, mini lecture hall, gift shop, offices and an extensive picnic lunch area. A modern infrastructure at the present Olduvai Mary Leakey camp, where most of the visiting scientists and researchers normally stay, will be constructed. It would have field laboratories, storage space, staff and research quarters, water researvoir tanks,dining hall, kitchens and enough camping facilities for large groups. In commemorating the internationally acclaimed scientific discovery, the ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism through its Department of Antiquities will organise an international conference in Arusha from August 16 to 22nd next year. The conference on human origins and evolution will bring together scholars from Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe and Middle East. "They will discuss and share knowledge on our current understanding of the biological and cultural development of our ancestors", Dr. Njau said during the 49th Zinj Anniversay marked at Olduvai recently. He added that during next year's commemoration special exhibitions will be staged at the Natural History Museum in Arusha and also at Olduvai Gorge focussing on the Leakey's discoveries and paleontological research in Africa. Special fossil discovery safaris led by scientists to Olduvai Gorge, Laetoli, Kondoa and other archaeological and historical sites in northern regions would also be organised. Source: https://www.arushatimes.co.tz
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