Read about the latest human origins discoveries, Leakey Foundation-supported research, and news from the field.
A Giganto Mystery
Origin Stories
This month, Origin Stories podcast explores the mysterious tale of the largest primate that ever lived. Gigantopithecus blacki is an extinct relative of orangutans that lived in Southeast Asia and stood around 10 feet tall.
I will match your donation
Director's Diary | Support Us
Sharal Camisa Smith is celebrating 19 years with The Leakey Foundation by matching 50 first-time donors who give $19 before February 28!
We found 2.9-million-year-old stone tools used to butcher ancient hippos – but likely not by our ancestors
In the News | Journal Article
Two Leakey Foundation grantees tell the story of their discovery of some of the oldest-known stone tools used to butcher large animals.
Origin Stories returns January 31
Origin Stories
The Leakey Foundation is excited to announce the launch of a new season of Origin Stories, our award-winning podcast about the fascinating world of human evolution.
Introducing the fall 2022 Leakey Foundation grant recipients
Grants | The Leakey Foundation
We are pleased to announce the 32 recipients of our fall 2022 Leakey Foundation Research Grants.
Friyat Angesom Kidane and Tekie Tesfamichael awarded 2022 Francis H. Brown African Scholarships
Grants | The Leakey Foundation
Friyat Angesom Kidane and Tekie Tesfamichael have been named as the fall 2022 Francis H. Brown African Scholars for their outstanding research exploring ancient biodiversity and the impact of climate change on human evolution.
Carol Ward wins 2022 Gordon P. Getty Award
Grants | The Leakey Foundation
Anatomist and paleoanthropologist Dr. Carol Ward has received The Leakey Foundation’s 2022 Gordon P. Getty Award. This award recognizes scientists whose multidisciplinary research significantly advances science related to human origins, evolution, behavior, and survival.
The Leakey Foundation receives major gift from the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation for the Arts
Press Release | The Leakey Foundation
The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation for the Arts donated proceeds from a series of Christie’s auctions to six San Francisco Bay Area art and science organizations, including The Leakey Foundation.
Lunch Break Science Celebrates 50th Episode
Lunch Break Science
The 50th episode of Lunch Break Science will stream on December 15, 2022, at 11 am Pacific / 2 pm Eastern and it will feature past guests of the show answering audience questions and addressing common misconceptions about human evolution. Viewers of the livestream will have the opportunity to win prizes.
Giving Tuesday gratitude
Support Us | The Leakey Foundation
We are thrilled to report that our generous donors gave $9,298 for Giving Tuesday! The first $7,000 was matched by a group of sponsors.