Rukwa Rift Basin Project

The Rukwa Rift Basin Project (RRBP) was initiated to focus paleontological and geological field exploration in poorly sampled strata in southern and western Tanzania. This work reveals a rare glimpse into the past, as the Rukwa Rift Basin preserves one of the only well-exposed, fossiliferous Cretaceous-Neogene continental sedimentary sequences in sub-equatorial Africa. Since 2002, project PIs from Ohio University, Michigan State University, James Cook University, and the University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) have assembled research teams for annual field expeditions. These teams have recovered a diversity of Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene terrestrial and freshwater vertebrate and invertebrate fossils, revealing the region's importance for understanding environmental change through time. The RRBP provides opportunities for student training, science education, and outreach. The project receives funding from the US National Science Foundation (EAR-Sedimentary Geology and Paleobiology Program, EAR-Instrumentation and Facilities Program), the National Geographic Society, and the LSB Leakey Foundation for field and laboratory research.

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Rukwa Rift Basin Project in the News

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Ohio University paleontologists discover new species of titanosaurian dinosaur in Tanzania.

Rukwatitan discovery video by National Science Foundation.

National Science Foundation story on Rukwatitan.

Oldest fossil evidence of modern African venomous snakes found in Tanzania

Snakes Alive! NSF-funded researchers find oldest fossil evidence of modern African venomous snakes

NSF Science Now Episode 13

Scientists discover oldest evidence of split between Old World monkeys and apes (Research Ohio University)

Palaeontological evidence for an Oligocene divergence between Old World monkeys and apes

Scientists Discover Oldest Evidence of Split Between Old World Monkeys and Apes (National Science Foundation)

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Oldest Evidence of Split Between Old World Monkeys and Apes: Primate Fossils Are 25 Million Years Old

Two New Fossils Reveal Details of Ape/Monkey Split

Fossils indicate common ancestor for two primate groups

Fossil finds hint at when apes and monkeys went separate ways

Oldest ape and monkey fossils unearthed in Tanzania

Researcher’s Work in Boise State Lab Featured in ‘Nature’

Scientists suggest new age for East African Rift

NSF News: These Crocs Were Made for Chewing?

Newly discovered, ancient crocodile was mammal-like, from its grinding molars to its skinny legs

Fossil “Cat Crocodile” Had Mammal-like Teeth

NSF Special Report: Ancient Crocs