- The exhibition has been set up to mark the 10th anniversary of the discovery of the world’s oldest stone tools,
- The tools were discovered in Lomekwi, West Turkana, on July 9, 2011, but were made public in 2015.
Image: DOUGLAS OKIDI
Tools used by our ancestors 3.3 million years ago are on display at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi.
The exhibition, with the theme ‘the dawn of technology’, launched on Thursday evening and will run from December 2 to February 28.
Next it will be taken to Kitale for three months before its final destination—Lodwar in Turkana.
The exhibition has been set up to mark the 10th anniversary of the discovery of the world’s oldest stone tools, dated 3.3 million years ago, by the West Turkana Archeological Project.
The tools were discovered in Lomekwi, West Turkana, on July 9, 2011, but were made public in 2015.
Sports, Culture and Heritage CS Amina Mohammed, French Ambassador Aline Kuster-Menager, Director of West Turkana Archaeological Project Prof Sonia Harmand and director of antiquities, sites and monuments at the NMK Dr Fredrick Manthi were present.
Image: DOUGLAS OKIDI
Mohammed described the exhibition as "prestigious, historic and totally thrilling".
The CS said it was a result of 25 years of collaboration between NMK and the French mission.
“As they say a people without knowledge of their history, origin and culture is like a tree without fruits,” Mohammed said.
Also on display is details about how the researchers went about their work, including the tools they used and the food they ate, among others.
Some of the tools and equipment used during the exploration are also on display.
The exhibition's information is in English, Kiswahili and Turkana.
The exhibition is part of a cooperation project called 'Consolidating the future through mastering the past' funded by the French government.
The project is in partnership with the NMK, the Turkana Basin Institute, and Turkana University College and French Institute of Research in Africa.
Its main objective is to improve marginalised populations' access to higher education and paleosciences while increasing outreach for Kenya’s prehistoric archaeological heritage.
Mohammed said continued research on the country’s natural and cultural heritage, especially on the world’s oldest archaeological site, provides a broader understanding of our history as a people and humanity.
“The tools featured today represent the world’s oldest stone tools dating 3.3 million years. They are important in characterising the ecological context in which hominids lived 3.3 million years ago,” she said.
Mohammed said the exhibition highlights the commitment by Kenya, France and research teams to develop expertise in palaeontology science, prehistoric archaeology and cultural heritage management.
Image: DOUGLAS OKIDI
“It also ensures the long term preservation and conservation of our sites and collection and also complements the efforts of NMK to document and disseminate our prehistoric heritage,” she said.
The CS welcomed local and international guests to visit the museums and learn about the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Ambassador Menager said the discovery of the tools put Turkana on the world map as the dawn of technology.
“We knew for quite some time that Rift Valley is probably the cradle of mankind and what is presented today shows that it is probably the cradle of technology,” she said.
The discovery made headlines when it was made public.
“The French ministry of foreign affairs allocated a grant of nearly 400,000 Euros to this project which we call consolidating the future through mastering the deep past,” Menager said.
The ambassador said the project supports the training of Kenyan researchers.
Five young female students receive scholarships to pursue a masters programme in sciences at Turkana University College with the support of Turkana Basin Institute. One will soon go to France to prepare for a PhD in archaeology.
Menager said palaeontology is not exclusively a domain for men.
“Young Kenyan women, especially if they come from the Turkana region, should be encouraged to help us master the deep past to consolidate the future,” she said.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya