Tendaguru Paleontological Site (TPS)

Description

Tendaguru Palaeontological Site (TPS) is a world-famous palaeontological property situated almost 60 kilometres from the Indian Ocean over a hill elevated at about 310 metres above sea level in Lindi District, Lindi Region. In 1908, a mining engineer from Germany, Bernard Wilhelm Sattler, serendipitously discovered the Tendaguru dinosaur locality while exploring garnet-bearing rocks. Information about dinosaur remains was reported to Berlin Naturkundemuseum, later on, it was followed by palaeontological excavations under the rubric “Tendaguru Expedition”. The undertakings were carried out from 1909 to 1913 (Zils et al., 1995a; Bushozi and Saanane 2020). Such scientific expeditions yielded invertebrates, fish remains, and dinosaur remains of the Late Jurassic (See also Bushozi and Saanane 2020). Recovered dinosaur remains included the following groups such as theropods, ornithischians, and sauropods. Among famous finds include the biggest ever that lived in Africa, named Brachiosaurus brancaiwhich was later reclassified (renamed) by Taylor (2009) to be Giraffatitan brancai (Zils et al., 1995 and Bushozi and Saanane 2020). The said specimens are in a special dome constructed in Berlin to house and display their remains, about 12 metres high and 23.5 metres long. Other fossil materials recovered by Germans are stored in Berlin Naturkundemuseum, Humbolt University, where there are superbly displayed. Almost 400 fossil remains, including 80 articulated skeletons that were recovered from Tendaguru, are stored in Berlin Naturkundemuseum (Zils et al., 1995b). All fossil vertebrates and invertebrates were recovered from Tendaguru Formation or Tendaguru Beds, an area that accounts for more than 10,000 specimens (Bushozi and Saanane 2020). The property was Gazetted (Government Proclamation No. 186) as the National Heritage Site on 12th October 1937.

Justification of Outstanding Universal Value

TPS contains some of the most important fossil specimens discovered from the “Age of Dinosaurs” period of Earth’s history. The property formation is considered the richest Late Jurassic strata in Africa. The formation contains some important fossils specimens of different groups; early mammaliaforms, several genera of dinosaurs, crocodyliforms, amphibians, fish, invertebrates and flora. The formation ranges in age from the late Middle Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous dating back 165-130 million years. More than 250 tonnes (250 long tons; 280 short tons) of material were shipped to Germany during early excavations in the early twentieth century. The faunal assemblage of the Tendaguru is similar to the Morrison Formation of the central- western United States, with an additional marine interbed fauna not present in the Morrison. The property and its all-surrounding landscape represent a major stage of earth's history in terms of the record of life as well as a significant development of landforms in terms of Strata.

• Archaeological and Historical Value

The property holds great importance for researchers in the field of Archaeology and history due to the presence of stone tool artefacts including materials that could belong to the Acheulian industrial complex; the Middle Stone Age and the Later Stone Age. There are also Stone artefacts characterized by core scrapers, choppers, scrapers and utilized flakes, which can be identified in the property. These artefacts bring the property into a potential destination for the study of the origin of humankind, early stone tool technologies and necessities of their life. It is also widespread where Narosura and Swahili pottery remains within the property.

• Palaeontological Value

This area is very important in the field of palaeontology. The property is home to the largest Dinosaur ever to live in Africa named after la Brachiosaurus brancai who later in 2009 was renamed Giraffatitan brancai. In addition, about 400 fossils and 80 fossils found in this property have been preserved at the Berlin Museum of Natural History. TPS also have fossils of all invertebrates and invertebrates found in these Tendaguru rocks, which cover more than 10,000 Specimen.

• Biodiversity Value

The conservation of existing biodiversity in the TPS is of great value to the country and the area especially to ensure sustainable conservation. Also in promoting the tourism  economy, conservation of biodiversity will make the area have a beautiful landscape to attract local and foreign tourists. In the Tendaguru area, human activities have been taking place which is a major source of environmental degradation and extinction of some species. Humans have been cutting down trees randomly paving the way for agricultural activities. Thus, conservation education needs to be provided to the community to have the outstanding university value of the area maintained. In the property, some rivers are flooded during the rainy season due to the evidence and presence of Mikuyu-Ficus spp. There are also many different types of soil including clay, pottery, pottery mix and small stones. Types of plants found in the area are palms (hyfern spp), Acacia spp, miombo, Tamarindi indica (baobabs), Terminaria moris and. Extnathera spp (bamboo). Other plants that have been found cut down and are in danger of extinction in the area are Rain, Marula, mangrove, and oak however more research is needed to make an inventory of all the plants as these plants add great value to the property.

Criterion (vii): Tendaguru Palaeontological Site (TPS) is an outstanding example of major geological processes and formations. The landscape has approximately 38,000 ha which is probably the largest natural heritage property (Antiquities Site) in Africa with quality and minimal undisturbed environment that presents a natural beauty of the property.

Criterion (viii): The property and its all-surrounding landscape represent an outstanding major stage of earth's history in terms of the record of life as well as a significant development of landforms in terms of Strata.The property is home to the largest Dinosaur ever to live in Africa named Giraffatitan brancai. In addition, more than 400 fossils and 80 fossils found in this property have been preserved at the Berlin Museum of Natural History. TPS also have high-quality fossils of all invertebrates and invertebrates found in these Tendaguru rocks, which cover more than 10,000 Specimen.

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity

Tendaguru with 38,000 ha in size, is probably the largest (Antiquities sites) natural heritage site in Africa. The property encompasses very few portions of the badlands and riparian habitat elements found on the site. Geological processes that created the site and fossils continue to be necessary to maintain the landscape with minimal human interference. The high natural aesthetic qualities of the landscape are largely intact. In many parts of the property few, if any signs of development outside of the boundaries are visible. The known presence of late middle Jurassic fossil material is closely associated with locations that can be seen and sometimes exposed through erosional processes or on the surface of landscape. The large majority of these exposures are in the core area and within the boundaries of the property. Both the fossil material and the highly valuable associated contextual information are intact. Public access to the most sensitive areas of the site is strictly controlled. Research, collection and removal of fossil material are tightly regulated. There are plans to develop facilities at the property but will only be permitted within the site but subjected to HIA. Protection of paleontological resources and the landscape was enhanced in 1937. Since the largest Dinosaur ever to live in Africa is called Brachiosaurus (Giraffatitan) brancai was discovered in 1905´s and the area was Gazetted (Government Proclamation No. 186) as the National Heritage Site on 12th October 1937 during the British colonial rule.

Comparison with other similar properties

The Tendaguru Palaeontological Site is comparable to the Dinosaur Provincial Park World Heritage Site located at the heart of the province of Alberta's badlands in Canada. The property contains some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made from the 'Age of Reptiles', in particular about 35 species of dinosaurs, dating back some 75 million years. However, the TPS contains the most important fossil specimens discovered from the “Old Ages” period of Earth’s history dating back to 150 million years ago.