Arrival in Mahenge

Updated: July 17, 2000

Guess where we are? After another full day of meeting local officials, shopping, vehicle repair and travel, we have finally arrived at Mahenge!!! We reached our destination just before dark and have already managed to get our tents up and dinner is on the way.

Mongoose at the Legho Hotel, Singida.

The very first cool thing to happen in our camp was a visit by a bush baby (Galago). It was in a tree just above where our tents were pitched. We could only see its outline and the orange glow of its eyes in our lights, but it was still an amazing sight. We have since seen three other galagos this evening. We also found a bit of a fossil teleost fish shortly after arrival--a good omen.

Gregg Gunnell, ace reporter, at camp on Day 1.
Pat Herendeen advising, Kent Newman partaking.

Camp shot on first night.
Left to right = Jason, Gregg, and Kent.

Our camp is in the Miombo Woodlands (dominated by Brachystegia, Acacia, and other legumes), very near to the original pits dug by Mannard in the 1950's-1960's and to the extension dug by the Manonga/Wembere Expedition of Terry Harrison (NYU) in 1996. We are located about .4 km south of the village of Mwaru. Local villagers helped us locate the site and also helped with unloading of vehicles.

The local folks worked with Terry and crew in '96 and remember the place and Charles Msuya well. They will help with excavations, obtaining water from their well, and we have hired an askari (guard) for our camp. The officials in Singida helped us tremendously in weaving our way through the proper channels and correct protocols. I don't know how we would have accomplished that in one morning otherwise! Jesse Msonsa (District Education Officer of Singida Rural) even accompanied us out to the site using his pick-up truck, which carried some of our additional supplies purchased in Singida.

Dinner is now ready--all for today.
Greg Gunnell