The Comprehensive Olduvai Database Initiative

The Comprehensive Olduvai Database Initiative, or CODI, is a free online inventory

of all paleontological specimens collected from Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. This database

provides a research tool for scientists interested in studying this assemblage as well as a

curatorial aid for the Tanzanian government.

Search the Database

There are two different ways to access this database. You can either perform a traditional search based on taxonomy, stratigraphy, archaeological locality, repository, etc., or you can browse specimens using the key terms provided. This database was not developed to serve as an analytical tool for first or last appearance dates of various taxa, only for use as an aid to accessing the collection for further research. Using this database for large-scale studies of evolutionary pattern and process is inappropriate unless the user has meticulously checked every entry for accuracy.

Search
Research Project
This section refers to the research team or expedition responsible for discovering the specimen. Museum specimens include this information when it is clearly documented or written on the specimen
Arch. Locality
This refers to an archaeological locality. These localities were named by the excavator, primarily from the work of Mary Leakey. Archaeological locality is only included if the author provided this information or if it was indicated in the specimen number or written on the photographed specimen.
Geo. Locality
The geological locality is the locality described in geological studies. Most of the geological localities are described by Hay (1976). This field is usually blank except when an author describes a fossil from a geological survey.

Advanced Search

Explore the Database

Click on the photos below to go directly to the entry for that specimen and learn more about the history of paleontological research at Olduvai Gorge, one specimen at a time.

Right Photo: Two of the 2013 field assistants preparing to photograph fossils from the Leakey Lab as part of the inventory process for OVPP-L specimens. This project was generously supported in part by The Leakey Foundation in addition to the National Science Foundation.

Browse Specimens