Global Initiatives Grant Report – Integrating paleoanthropological research and community engagement in Tanzania using applied visual Anthropology

On June 21, 2024, we received  the  Global  Initiative  Grant  from  the  Wenner-Gren  Foundation,  aimed   at   spearheading   a   transformative   project   that   sought   to   integrate   paleoanthropological research with community engagement in Tanzania through applied visual anthropology. Over the past decade, remarkable discoveries have been made in Tanzania, yielding thousands of artifacts and fossils that span over 4 million years of human prehistory. This rich trove has positioned Tanzania as a pivotal location in the study of human evolution, housing a variety of  significant prehistoric artifacts and fossil remains, including renowned hominin species  that  encapsulate the story of our evolutionary journey. These findings range from the Australopithecines to Paranthropus and extend to our own genus, Homo, which includes various species such as H. habilis, H. erectus, H. heidelbergensis, and ultimately our species, Homo sapiens.

Despite the substantive historical significance that Tanzania holds in the narrative of human prehistory, it  has  come  to  our  attention  that  public  awareness  remains  considerably   limited,   and widespread misconceptions about evolution persist within the community. Many of these misconceptions  have  created   barriers   to   understanding,   leading   to   challenges    in    accepting the scientific principles surrounding evolution. Furthermore, the level  of  community-based participatory research in  human  origin  studies  has  been  minimal,  resulting  in  a  disconnect  between scholarly research and local understanding.

To bridge this gap and enhance the visibility and appreciation of paleoanthropological research concerning human evolution, we have employed the techniques of visual anthropology. Our project utilized a variety of interactive methods, including photovoice, lively debates, and thoughtful discussions, engaging public exhibitions, theatrical plays, site tours, and heritage festivals, aimed at reaching a diverse audience.

Participants included students, educators, policymakers, and local residents across four key regions: Arusha, Iringa, Kagera, and Dar es Salaam. We hypothesized that the local communities residing near these significant sites would be more inclined to appreciate their potential role in uncovering the intricate narratives of our shared origins. Being proximate to these archaeological locations provides these communities with direct, tangible evidence of their heritage, allowing them to see firsthand the historical treasures that lie within their environment and recognize their role as stewards of this significant legacy.

Throughout these regions, we orchestrated a series of debates, discussions, public exhibitions, plays, and site tours, engaging a wide array of audiences, including primary and secondary school students, educators, parents, policymakers, and the general public. For instance, at the New Changanyikeni Secondary School in Dar es Salaam, students dramatized the evolution of humans through plays in 2024 (Figure 1). These initiatives were crafted by the students themselves, showcasing their depth of knowledge and passion for understanding human origins through performance art.

In addition to theatrical performances, we conducted debates at various schools, including those in Lowassa in northern Tanzania (Arusha), Kanyigo and Kigarama Secondary Schools in Kagera (the Lake Region), Dimitrious Secondary School at Magubike village (the Southern Highlands) (Figure 2), and New Changanyikeni Secondary School in Dar es Salaam. For these debates, we employed a common motion: “Did humans evolve, or were they created by God?” The debates successfully challenged pervasive misconceptions about human evolution, particularly the often-repeated fallacy that “humans evolved from apes.”

We conducted exhibitions at the University of Dar es Salaam during their 10th Research and Innovation Week 2025, which allowed us to engage a broader audience and extend our impact beyond those who could physically visit the exhibition (Figure 3). Media coverage from Tanzanian broadcasts, including Mlimani TV and Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), significantly bolstered the visibility of our project. During the exhibition, we featured video displays illustrating various stages of human evolution, facilitating a multisensory experience for the audience. Attendees could not only see and hear about the archaeological materials but also touch select items from the Manyara Beds, which offer insights into the lives and subsistence strategies of our ancestor H. heidelbergensis, a species believed to be closely related to the emergence of modern Homo sapiens.

The heart of our initiative lay in focused group discussions with local authorities and community leaders in areas rich in heritage assets, specifically in Makuyuni (Arusha), Magubike (Iringa), and Kagera. During these discussions, we critically evaluated a variety of innovative strategies to harness the potential of these paleoanthropological sites for the economic enrichment of the surrounding villages and towns.

At Magubike, community meetings revealed strong support for involving black Tanzanians in research activities, highlighting a sense of ownership and pride in local heritage. We similarly proposed the creation of an information center at Magubike, which would synergize with tourism initiatives, taking advantage of its strategic location near major routes leading to Ruaha National Park.

As part of our commitment to visual anthropology, we organized site visits for students and community members to experience the work of paleoanthropologists firsthand. This allowed participants to engage in ongoing research and understand the significance of discoveries within human history. Local communities in the Manyara Beds and Kagera region responded positively (Figure 4), highlighting the value of these immersive experiences. Many students participated in excavation practices, deepening their understanding of archaeology beyond what is typically taught in classrooms.

We also facilitated tours to important paleoanthropological sites like Laetoli and Oldupai Gorge (Figure 5), which have significantly contributed to our understanding of human origins. These excursions connected local communities in Makuyuni with their ancestral heritage. Additionally, we visited the Ngorongoro Crater, where sites from the Middle Stone Age reveal the history of the Pastoral Neolithic peoples.