Koobi

Koobi is a toponym most commonly encountered as a shortened reference to Koobi Fora, a region on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya. The area is a major site for paleontological and archaeological research and is best known for its long-running fossil discoveries and detailed stratigraphic work.

Geology and fossils: The Koobi Fora Formation comprises sedimentary deposits that preserve a long sequence dating roughly from the early Pleistocene to more recent times, about two million to one million years ago. The site has yielded a rich record of hominin remains and stone tools, contributing to understandings of early human evolution. Finds include skeletal material attributed to early Homo species as well as a variety of tool industries.

Research and institutions: The region has hosted enduring field projects, most notably the Koobi Fora Research Project, which has organized expeditions and excavations since the 1960s. Leadership and collaboration over the years have involved researchers such as Richard Leakey and colleagues, and the work has influenced models of hominin diversity, behavior, and dispersal in East Africa.

Location and access: Koobi Fora lies in a remote part of northern Kenya within the Turkana Basin. Access is typically by limited road networks or airstrips, with field operations relying on temporary camps rather than permanent settlements.

See also: Koobi Fora Formation, Lake Turkana, Turkana Basin, Homo erectus, Oldowan, Acheulean.