Laetoli is a site in Tanzania dated to the Plio-Pleistocene and famous for its hominin footprints, preserved in volcanic ash. Laetoli was first recognized by western science in 1935 through a man named Sanimu, who convinced archeologist Louis Leakey to investigate the area.
About 45km south of Oldupai Gorge at remote Laetoli is a 27m-long trail of 3.7-million-year-old hominid footprints, probably made by Australopithecus afarensis. Discovered by Mary Leakey’s team in 1976 and excavated two years later, it’s an extraordinarily evocative and remote site. An EU-funded museum (still under construction) is planned, but there’s a small temporary museum on the site, with only copies of the prints currently visible. Cast copies of the prints are in Oldupai Museum. The location and tracks were discovered by archaeologist Mary Leakey and her team in 1976, and were excavated by 1978. Based on analysis of the footfall impressions “The Laetoli Footprints” provided convincing evidence for the theory of bipedalism in Pliocene hominins and received significant recognition by scientists and the public. Since 1998, paleontological expeditions have continued under the leadership of Amandus Kwekason of the National Museum of Tanzania and Terry Harrison of New York University, leading to the recovery of more than a dozen new hominin finds, as well as a comprehensive reconstruction of the paleoecology.
With the footprints, there were other discoveries excavated at Laetoli including hominin and animal skeletal remains. Analysis of the footprints and skeletal structure showed clear evidence that bipedalism preceded enlarged brains in hominins. At a species level, the identity of the hominins who made the trace is difficult to construe precisely; Australopithecus afarensis is the species most commonly proposed.
How to get here!
An extremely rough, 4WD-only track connects Oldupai Museum with Laetoli via Noorkisaruni Kopje and Endulen. A far better road runs to Endulen from Kimba on the Ngorongoro Crater rim along the southern side of Makarot. Via either route, Laetoli lies 9km from Endulen.