Nationality: Tanzanian

Institution: University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM)

Department: Archaeology and Heritage Studies

PAST programme support: Degree support

Research title: The Later Stone Age Technological Organization at Naisiusiu Beds, Olduvai Gorge in Northern Tanzania

John was born in 1981 as the eldest son of Amini Aza Mturi and Erica Amini Mturi. After high school, he joined the University of Dar es Salaam where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Archaeology and History in 2006 and is currently busy with his master’s.

John learnt the fundamentals of anthropology, archaeology, evolutionary theory and conservation of cultural resources during his undergraduate degree. He credits his father, himself an archaeologist, as a pivotal person in terms of his intellectual development and the choice to pursue a career in archaeology. Following a brief stint in international finance due to the lack of employment opportunities for archaeologist in Tanzania, he went back to his roots in 2022 and enrolled in a master’s degree in Archaeology at the University of Dar es Salaam. He is currently busy completing his master’s and dedicated to advancing his expertise in archaeology. John’s focus is on lithic technology of the later phases in the Northern region (specifically Later Stone Age at Olduvai Gorge), with a long-term goal of contributing to the understanding of the Olduvai Gorges’ upper Beds archaeological legacy.