28 May 2009

Paleoanthropological evidence from the Lower Omo Valley Kibish Formation in southern Ethiopia (See Figure 2.1) has played a major role in our understanding of modern human origins since human fossils were first recovered from Member 1 of the Kibish Formation in 1967 by a team led by Richard Leakey. Fragmentary remains were recovered from three individuals designated Omo I, Omo II, and Omo III. Omo I consists of modern-looking fragments of cranial and postcranial remains. Omo II is represented by an isolated cranium of seemingly more archaic appearance. Omo III, which has received relatively little attention, consists of several craniofacial fragments. Tentative dating of the finds placed their origins in the range of >32-130 kya.

Since 1999, a series of expeditions conducted by American, Australian, and Ethiopian scientists were undertaken in order to resolve some of the questions left in the wake of the 1967 discoveries. Among the main research goals was to better ascertain the context of the human finds and to better place them within the chronology of the Kibish Formation by obtaining more secure dates. Other research focused on further exploring the stratigraphy, geochronology, paleontology, and archaeology of the Lower Omo Valley.