History

Tanzania's pre-historic importance is already well documented. The discovery in 1957 by Mary Leakey of the 1.75 million year old skull in Olduvai Gorge was the first to confirm man's antiquity and also establish Africa as the most likely site of human evolution. Since then other skulls have been found at numerous sites in East Africa. Rock art attributed to the Khoisan (Bushmen) is found throughout Tanzania, particularly in the Kondoa - Iranga region near Lake Eyasi.

Historic details prior to 1500CE are rare and only broad facts, legends and stories are available to piece together what actually took place. Africa evokes feelings of awe - at the magnificence of its beauty; curiosity - at the incredible diversity of its people; but it is the mists of time that have given it the mystery that draws people from all over the world year after year.

Early History
A short history of both the coastal and mainland areas

Slavery and Exploration
The darkness of the slave trade through the eyes of the intrepid explorers

Colonialism
The great land grab

Birth of Tanganyika
The beginnings of a nation

Independance
The fruition of the dream

Socialist Tanzania
A failed experiment with noble intentions

A New Tanzania
A new beginning