Hyrax Hill
Encyclopedia
Hyrax Hill is a prehistoric site near Nakuru
in the Rift Valley
province of Kenya
. It is considered one of the country's most important neolithic
excavation sites. Hyrax Hill dates from 1500 B.C. and was discovered by Louis
and Mary Leakey
in 1926.
Excavations started in 1937, directed by Mary Leakey. Remains of settlements, tombs and a fortress built of stone were found, as well as 19 bodies, beheaded in an unusual way and in a crooked posture. Also found was a Bao
board, featuring the characteristic indentions. A small museum also exhibits findings from the Iron Age
.
Hyrax Hill is one of the areas where Sirikwa Holes are found.
Nakuru
Nakuru, the provincial capital of Kenya's Rift Valley province, with roughly 300,000 inhabitants, and currently the fourth largest urban centre in the country, lies about 1850 m above sea level...
in the Rift Valley
Rift Valley Province, Kenya
Rift Valley Province of Kenya, bordering Uganda, is one of Kenya's seven administrative provinces outside Nairobi.Rift Valley Province is the largest and one of the most economically important provinces in Kenya. It is dominated by the Great Rift Valley which passes through it and gives the...
province of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. It is considered one of the country's most important neolithic
Neolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
excavation sites. Hyrax Hill dates from 1500 B.C. and was discovered by Louis
Louis Leakey
Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey was a British archaeologist and naturalist whose work was important in establishing human evolutionary development in Africa. He also played a major role in creating organizations for future research in Africa and for protecting wildlife there...
and Mary Leakey
Mary Leakey
Mary Leakey was a British archaeologist and anthropologist, who discovered the first skull of a fossil ape on Rusinga Island and also a noted robust Australopithecine called Zinjanthropus at Olduvai. For much of her career she worked together with her husband, Louis Leakey, in Olduvai Gorge,...
in 1926.
Excavations started in 1937, directed by Mary Leakey. Remains of settlements, tombs and a fortress built of stone were found, as well as 19 bodies, beheaded in an unusual way and in a crooked posture. Also found was a Bao
Bao (mancala game)
Bao is a traditional mancala board game played in most of East Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Malawi, as well as some areas of DR Congo and Burundi. It is most popular among the Swahili people of Tanzania and Kenya; the name itself "Bao" is the Swahili word for "board" or "board game"...
board, featuring the characteristic indentions. A small museum also exhibits findings from the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
.
Hyrax Hill is one of the areas where Sirikwa Holes are found.