Turkana Boy gets monument
An architectural work that is a replica of the world’s most complete early hominid fossil ever discovered and the monument erected at the site. PHOTO | SAMMY LUTTA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- County Director of Culture James Kuloba on Saturday described the village, 130 kilometres from Lodwar town, as hosting the most famous hominid site in the world, where the 1.6-million-year-old fossil later named Turkana Boy was found.
- The fossil, which also acquired the name Nariokotome Boy, has stories about it well documented in textbooks and documentaries since its discovery by Mr Kamoya Kimeu who part of the Richard Leakey-led team that was doing survey at the site in 1984.
- Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok said the story would now be told in a more captivating way, giving visitors a better understanding of human evolution after visiting Nariokotome.
Turkana County has set up a monument that is a replica of the world’s most complete early hominid fossil ever discovered, buttressing Kenya’s position as a key spot in human evolution studies.
The monument, which cost over Sh20 million, is erected on a two-acre piece of land at Nariokotome village located west of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake.
County Director of Culture James Kuloba on Saturday described the village, 130 kilometres from Lodwar town, as hosting the most famous hominid site in the world, where the 1.6-million-year-old fossil later named Turkana Boy was found.
The fossil, which also acquired the name Nariokotome Boy, has stories about it well documented in textbooks and documentaries since its discovery by Mr Kamoya Kimeu who part of the Richard Leakey-led team that was doing survey at the site in 1984.
Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok said the story would now be told in a more captivating way, giving visitors a better understanding of human evolution after visiting Nariokotome.
“The aim of the monument is to make the area an outstanding archeological site by giving it international recognition as it will have an exhibition and interpretation room,” Mr Nanok told the Nation in his office in Lodwar.
The village is likely to benefit from new schools, a modern market and better roads as it prepares to reap big royalties.
Mr Nanok said President Uhuru Kenyatta would officially unveil the monument as a Kenyan tourism product next month.
