The Omo-Turkana Basin fossil record as a milestone toward a comprehensive database of the hominin fossil record online

J Hum Evol. 2026 Jul 1:103857. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2026.103857. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive and accurate database of the human fossil record is a necessity for synthetic understanding of hominin biological and behavioral evolution, yet it has remained an elusive goal for decades. This paper presents a conceptual framework for an online database of the human fossil record, called Origins, and an implementation of that framework for the 1200+ hominin fossils of the Omo-Turkana Basin of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The Omo-Turkana Basin is one of the largest and most significant hominin fossil assemblages in Africa and marks the first major milestone in developing a comprehensive database for the entire hominin fossil record globally. We discuss the theoretical foundation underlying the conceptual model used for Origins, the technical details for the establishment and utilization of Origins, and the roadmap for future and ongoing development of this resource.

PMID:42379963 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhevol.2026.103857