Where is the Olduvai Gorge?

Olduvai Gorge is located in northern Tanzania, between the Ngorongoro highlands and the Serengeti Plains. It is part of the East African Rift system and has produced some of the most significant evidence for human evolution. Archaeologists Louis and Mary Leakey made major discoveries there in the 20th century, including fossils of early hominins and ancient stone tools. The gorge has layers of volcanic ash and sediment that help scientists date finds very precisely. Because of this, Olduvai is often called a key 'cradle of humankind' site.