Who is Kamoya Kimeu?
Q: Who is Kamoya Kimeu?
A: Kamoya Kimeu is a Kamba tribesman who is one of the world's most successful fossil collectors.
Q: What discoveries did he make?
A: He found a Homo habilis skull known as KNM ER 1813, and an almost complete Homo erectus skeleton known as Turkana Boy or Nariokotome boy. He also has two fossil primates named after him: Kamoyapithecus hamiltoni and Cercopithecoides kimeui.
Q: How did he become involved in paleoanthropology?
A: In the 1950s, he began to work in paleoanthropology as a labourer for Louis Leakey and Mary Leakey. She recruited him for her team when she took over as head of excavations at Olduvai, preferring to hire Kamba men rather than Kikuyu whom Louis preferred. In 1963 he joined with Richard Leakey's expeditions, accompanying him to the Omo River and Lake Rudolf (now Lake Turkana).
Q: What role did he have with Richard Leakey's expeditions?
A: He quickly became Richard Leakey's right-hand man, controlling field operations in his absence.
Q: What position did he hold at National Museums of Kenya?
A: In 1977 he became the National Museums of Kenya's curator for all prehistoric sites in Kenya.
Q: What award was given to him by Ronald Reagan?
A: He was awarded the National Geographic Society's LaGorce Medal by US President Ronald Reagan in a ceremony at the White House.
