Stratigraphic context of fossil hominids from the Omo group deposits: northern Turkana Basin, Kenya and Ethiopia

Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330780412· OSTI ID:6019801

Feibel, C S; Brown, F H; McDougall, I

The chronometric framework developed for Plio-Pleistocene deposits of the northern Turkana Basin is reviewed in light of recent advances in lithostratigraphy, geochemical correlation, paleomagnetic stratigraphy, and isotopic dating. The sequence is tightly controlled by 20 precise ages on volcanic materials. These ages are internally consistent but are at variance with estimates for the boundaries of the magnetic polarity time scale by about 0.07 my. This discrepancy can be only partially resolved at present. Based on the established chronometric framework and stratigraphic sequences, depositional ages can be estimated for significant marker beds. These ages can in turn be used to constrain the 449 hominid specimens thus far reported from the basin. Ages for most hominid specimens can be estimated with a precision of +/- 0.05 my. In addition, the chronometric framework will be applicable to other paleontological collections, archeological excavations, and future discoveries in the basin.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6019801
• Journal Information: Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.; (United States), Vol. 78:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
ETHIOPIA
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
KENYA
MAN
AGE ESTIMATION
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SPECIMENS
ARCHAEOLOGY
FOSSILS
ISOTOPE DATING
PALEONTOLOGY
PLEISTOCENE EPOCH
PLIOCENE EPOCH
SKULL
AFRICA
ANIMALS
BODY
CENOZOIC ERA
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
GEOLOGIC AGES
MAMMALS
ORGANS
PRIMATES
QUATERNARY PERIOD
SKELETON
TERTIARY PERIOD
VERTEBRATES
580100* - Geology & Hydrology- (-1989)