Our Mission

Connecting people with humanity's origins

Leakey Journeys and Expeditions (LJE) are on a mission to deepen our understanding of humanity's origins and help safeguard our shared legacy, through educational outreach, research and journeys through time. LJE was founded by Louise Leakey, a third-generation Kenyan paleoanthropologist, on the belief that understanding and valuing our shared past will enable better stewardship of our common future. As the poet and author Maya Angelou, said, "You can't really know where you're going until you know where you have been."

40+
Years of fieldwork
3,200
Specimens found
18
Active sites
Leakey Journeys fieldwork

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Fetching the latest field notes and discoveries.

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Why Leakey Journeys?

East Africa's Ileret is a landscape where millions of years of our evolutionary story lie waiting. Without dedicated conservation, these irreplaceable sites face erosion and neglect. Join us to preserve this heritage.

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Koobi Fora Research Project

From the Archives

Five decades of discovery preserved in one place — photographs, field notes, fossil records, and the stories of the people who rewrote the human timeline on the eastern shores of Lake Turkana.

1967
First Expedition
10k+
Fossil Specimens
28
Archive Photographs
Explore the Archive
Richard Leakey with KNM-ER 1470 Richard Leakey with KNM-ER 1470, 1972
Dining table, Koobi Fora, 1972 Base camp dining table, 1972
Aerial view, Omo River, 1967 Aerial view, Omo River, 1967
Koobi Fora Meeting, 1972 Research meeting, Koobi Fora, 1972

Expedition Film: Lake Turkana

Witness our team uncovering history at Lake Turkana a glimpse into the field. Join us as we explore ancient fossil sites, uncovering evidence that tells the story of our origins.

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Our Latest Updates

Expedition reports and discoveries

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Deep Time Atlas

Interactive Map · Deep Time Journey

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Secrets await
Telemetry Active
East African Rift
Active Sites
0
0.00°N   36.00°E
N S E W

🇸 Hidden Site Unlocked!

A new fossil site has appeared on the map.

Fossil Sites
Turkana Basin
16 specimens

Studying Human Origins

Leaders in paleoanthropological science, providing cutting-edge insights into human evolution, early tool use, and migration applied to conservation and education.

Behaviour & Society
Examining early hominin social structures through fossil evidence and footprint analysis.
Migration & Movement
Tracing the routes of our ancestors out of Africa using advanced isotopic methods.
Site Monitoring & Conservation
Community-led preservation of key fossil sites across the Ileret.

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