The first week of the Geology module wrapped up with a field excursion to the Lothidok Range. Some outcrops at Lothidok expose Oligocene and Miocene strata and have in the past yielded fossils that are important to understanding primate evolution. Dr. Lepre led the students day hiking across a portion of Lothidok while they surveyed geologic features in a scavenger hunt lab exercise. With much success, the students converted classroom discussions to practical field geology while taking advantage of the opportunity to explore the landscapes of Turkana. Towards the end of the day the group found a cairn-site that no previous field school had yet identified. The cairn-site discovery put into context the integrated nature of field geology and archaeology and cued student inquiries into upcoming modules. The second week of Geology will include a day excursion to South Turkwel and an overnight trip to Lothagam.
By Steven Heritage|2017-01-04T18:05:05+03:00September 30th, 2013|Field Schools|Comments Off on Field Geology in Motion
About the Author: Steven Heritage
Steven Heritage earned his Baccalaureate at the University of Hawai'i double majoring in biology and anthropology. He is currently a PhD student at Stony Brook University where he serves as a graduate instructor of human anatomy. He is also a Turkana Basin Institute fellow and the graduate representative for MorphoBank. Steven's dissertation research focuses on the phylogenetic biology and comparative anatomy of Afrotherian mammals and their Paleogene fossil record.