Melka Kunture

This is an area about 50 km south of Addis Ababa where at least 30 separate sites of human and pre-human remains and tools have been found. It is on the banks of the Awash River. The area in the photo dates back 1.8 million years, according to the staff member who took us around. It was occupied by homo erectus, and then "archaic" homo sapiens. There were frequent volcanic eruptions, showering the area with debris, but allowing archaeologists to date the sites. Human, or hominid, bones have been found, as well as stone tools and animal bones with signs of human cutting or chewing. The area was a source of obsidian, a glassy volcanic rock, which could be used to make pointed or edged tools. I found it mind blowing to think that our ancestors lived here almost two million years ago.
Check out this website: http://geoserver.itc.nl/melkakunture/melka/index.html