Early Oldowan technology thrived during Pliocene environmental change in the Turkana Basin, Kenya

David R. Braun (), Dan V. Palcu Rolier (), Eldert L. Advokaat, Will Archer, Niguss G. Baraki, Maryse D. Biernat, Ella Beaudoin, Anna K. Behrensmeyer, René Bobe, Katherine Elmes, Frances Forrest, Ashley S. Hammond, Luigi Jovane, Rahab N. Kinyanjui, Ana P. Martini, Paul R. D. Mason, Amanda McGrosky, Joanne Munga, Emmanuel K. Ndiema, David B. Patterson, Jonathan S. Reeves, Diana C. Roman, Mark J. Sier, Priyeshu Srivastava, Kristen Tuosto, Kevin T. Uno, Amelia Villaseñor, Jonathan G. Wynn, John W. K. Harris and Susana Carvalho
Additional contact information
David R. Braun: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Dan V. Palcu Rolier: GeoEcoMar
Eldert L. Advokaat: Utrecht University
Will Archer: National Museum Bloemfontein
Niguss G. Baraki: George Washington University
Maryse D. Biernat: Arizona State University
Ella Beaudoin: University of Cambridge
Anna K. Behrensmeyer: George Washington University
René Bobe: Gorongosa National Park
Katherine Elmes: University of Cape Town
Frances Forrest: Fairfield University
Ashley S. Hammond: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Luigi Jovane: University of São Paulo
Rahab N. Kinyanjui: National Museums of Kenya
Ana P. Martini: University of São Paulo
Paul R. D. Mason: Utrecht University
Amanda McGrosky: Duke University
Joanne Munga: George Washington University
Emmanuel K. Ndiema: National Museums of Kenya
David B. Patterson: University of North Georgia
Jonathan S. Reeves: Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Diana C. Roman: Carnegie Institution for Science
Mark J. Sier: Utrecht University
Priyeshu Srivastava: University of São Paulo
Kristen Tuosto: George Washington University
Kevin T. Uno: Harvard University
Amelia Villaseñor: The University of Arkansas
Jonathan G. Wynn: National Science Foundation
John W. K. Harris: Archaeology Division
Susana Carvalho: Gorongosa National Park

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Approximately 2.75 million years ago, the Turkana Basin in Kenya experienced environmental changes, including increased aridity and environmental variability. Namorotukunan is a newly discovered archaeological site which provides a window into hominin behavioral adaptations. This site lies within the upper Tulu Bor and lower Burgi members of the Koobi Fora Formation (Marsabit District, Kenya), presently a poorly understood time interval due to large-scale erosional events. Moreover, this locale represents the earliest known evidence of Oldowan technology within the Koobi Fora Formation. Oldowan sites, older than 2.6 million years ago, are rare, and these typically represent insights from narrow windows of time. In contrast, Namorotukunan provides evidence of tool-making behaviors spanning hundreds of thousands of years, offering a unique temporal perspective on technological stability. The site comprises three distinct archaeological horizons spanning approximately 300,000 years (2.75 − 2.44 Ma). Our findings suggest continuity in tool-making practices over time, with evidence of systematic selection of rock types. Geological descriptions and chronological data, provide robust age control and contextualize the archaeological finds. We employ multiple paleoenvironmental proxies, to reconstruct past ecological conditions. Our study highlights the interplay between environmental shifts and technological innovations, shedding light on pivotal factors in the trajectory of human evolution.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64244-x

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