Archaeological Sites in Samburu
Nachola Site: Discovering Nacholapithecus
At Nachola Village, situated down the escarpment in the gorge which eventually ends up at the bottom of Suguta Valley about west of Samburu Hills, is a site of archaeological importance that once produced numerous fossils relating to the ‘Kenyapithecus’ species. Nachola village occupies the western periphery area of the El Barta Plains and Samburu Hills. First excavated in 1963 by Baker and later in 1980 and 1982 by a Kenya-Japan expedition, the Nachola Prehistoric Site yielded several links in the chain of human evolution, with abundant fossils important to the study of ‘Nacholapithecus’, initially classified as a Kenyapithecus sub species.
While eight large‐sized hominoid species dating to Early to Middle Miocene (about 17‐14 Mya) are known to exist in Afro‐Arabia and western Eurasia, the facial and postcranial anatomy of these apes is poorly known. However, much has been learned of the craniodental and postcranial anatomy of ‘Nacholapithecus’ – an almost entire skeleton of a male individual exhibiting a shared derived subnasal morphology with living apes. Samburu hominoid, a late Miocene fossil was unearthed in the basal dormitory region of the Namurungule Formation about 15 km from Nachola. The Nachola Site is situated about 13 km east of Baragoi town.
Kenya is known for its significant archaeological findings related to human origins. the Rift Valley region, at sites like Koobi Fora and Olorgesailie, has yielded fossils and artifacts that provide crucial evidence of early hominins, dated millennias. Along the coast, too, archaeology reveals the history of the Swahili civilization.
Index of Archaeological Sites in Kenya
Baringo County - Kipsaraman Museum, Homa Bay County - Kanjera Prehistoric Site, Kanam Prehistoric Site, Kajiado County - Olorgesailie Prehistoric Site, Kilifi County - Panga ya Saidi, Kisumu County - Muguruk Prehistoric Site, Maboko Island, Marsabit County - Koobi Fora, Illeret Prehistoric Site, Migori County - Gogo Falls Prehistoric Site, Nandi County - Songhor Prehistoric Site, Nakuru County - Kariandusi Museum, Hyrax Hill Museum, River Njoro Caves, Samburu County - Nachola Site, Turkana County - The Nariokotome Boy Site, Lokalalei Site, Turkana Basin Institute, Logatham Valley
Samburu County, in northern Kenya, offers stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and unique wildlife. Known for its stunning mountains, hills, remote wilderness, traditional Samburu culture, and less-visited national reserves, the county provides an authentic experience away from the popular safari circuit.
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A Guide to Samburu County
A Summa Digest of Samburu
About Samburu Way Back When
50 Destinations in Samburu County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, west then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shaba National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Ashnil Samburu Camp, Archer's Post, Chanler’s Falls, Umoja Cultural Village, Nashipa Eco Camp, Lion's Cave Camp, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Sopa Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Camp, Ewaso Lions, Kalama Conservancy, Saruni Samburu Lodge, Westgate Conservancy, Rhodia Mann Museum, Meibai Conservancy, Mount Ololokwe, Namunyak Community Conservancy, Sarara Camp, Singing Wells, Reteti Sanctuary, Mathews Range, Kitich Camp, Sera Conservancy, Saruni Rhino Camp, Ndoto Mountains, Mlima Tatu, Ngurunit, Ngurunit Rock Pools, Camp Ndotto, Mount Nyiru, Desert Rose, El Barta, Samburu Hills, Baragoi Deanery, Nachola Site, Napong Hills, Losiolo Escarpment, Emuruangogolak, Kirisia Forest, Ngari Hill Lodge, Maralal Safari Lodge, Yale Camp, Maralal Camel Derby, Kenyatta House Maralal, Loroghi Plateau, Engare Narok Sanctuary, Lake Mbaringon
Know More About Samburu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Samburu is almost always hot! The driest months are January and February. The mean annual temperature is 29oC, with fast blowing winds especially on the lowlands. Rain is temporal and erratic.
Over 80% of Samburu lies within the fragile arid to semi-arid ecological vast block of Kenya. Altitude, excepting the ranges and mountains, varies from 2040 ms to 600 ms asl.