Leakey family

Leakey family
Family of archaeologists and paleoanthropologists known for their discoveries of hominid and other fossil remains in eastern Africa.

Louis S.B. Leakey (b. 1903
d. 1972), born of British missionary parents, grew up in Kenya, was educated at Cambridge University, and eventually (1931) began field research at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. He was joined there by his wife, Mary D. Leakey (b. 1913
d. 1996), who in 1959 uncovered remains of a form of Australopithecus. The couple later uncovered the first known remains of Homo habilis, as well as those of Kenyapithecus, another ape-human link (lived с 14 million years ago). L.S.B. Leakey commissioned Jane Goodall, Biruté Galdikas, and Dian Fossey to undertake pioneering studies of chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas, respectively. Mary Leakey continued to make important discoveries, including the Laetoli footprints, after her husband's death. Their son, Richard Leakey (b. 1944), is known for his work at the Koobi Fora site on the shores of Lake Turkana in Kenya, where he uncovered evidence of H. habilis in Africa as early as 2.5 million years ago. His wife, Meave Leakey (b. 1942), is also a noted paleoanthropologist, having discovered two new hominid species.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Leakey family — /ˈliki/ (say leekee) noun a family of British and Kenyan anthropologists whose discoveries of hominid fossils in eastern Africa have contributed greatly to the study of human evolution. 1. Louis Seymour Bazett, 1903–72, especially noted for the… …  

  • Leakey's Angels — is a relatively recent name given to three women sent by archaeologist Louis Leakey to study primates in their natural environments. The three are Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas. They studied chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans… …   Wikipedia

  • Leakey, Louis S.B. — ▪ Kenyan archaeologist and anthropologist in full  Louis Seymour Bazett Leakey  born August 7, 1903, Kabete, Kenya died October 1, 1972, London, England  Kenyan archaeologist and anthropologist whose fossil discoveries in East Africa proved that… …   Universalium

  • family — /fam euh lee, fam lee/, n., pl. families, adj. n. 1. parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not. 2. the children of one person or one couple collectively: We want a large family. 3. the spouse and children …   Universalium

  • Leakey, Meave G. — ▪ 2008 Meave Epps  born July 28, 1942, London, Eng.       By 2007 paleoanthropologist Meave Leakey had engaged in fossil finding fieldwork in the study of human origins for more than 35 years, and as the wife of Richard Leakey (son of Louis and… …   Universalium

  • Leakey, Texas — Infobox Settlement official name = Leakey, Texas settlement type = City nickname = motto = imagesize = image caption = image mapsize = 250px map caption = Location of Leakey, Texas mapsize1 = 250px map caption1 = subdivision type = Country… …   Wikipedia

  • Leakey — Lea|key a family of British scientists working in the area of ↑paleontology (=the study of ancient animals and plants that have been preserved in rock). The family includes Mary Leakey (1913 96 ), her husband Louis Leakey (1903 72), and their son …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Leakey — n. family name; Mary Leakey (1913 1996), British anthropologist and archaeologist; Louis Leakey (1903 1972), British anthropologist and archaeologist; Richard Leakey (born 1944), Kenyan paleoanthropologist …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Mary Leakey — Born 6 February 1913(1913 02 06) London, England …   Wikipedia

  • Louis Leakey — Infobox Scientist name = Louis Leakey box width = image width =250px caption = Louis Leakey examining skulls from Olduvai Gorge birth date = August 7, 1903 birth place = Kenya death date = October 1, 1972 death place = residence = citizenship =… …   Wikipedia

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