Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site

Hyrax Hill takes its name from the rock hyraxes that live in its crevices, and it was excavated by Mary Leakey from 1937 onwards, revealing occupation across several periods: a Neolithic settlement with burials, an Iron Age village with hut circles and stone enclosures, and a set of pits including a bao-like game board cut into the rock. Some burials contained ornaments and pottery that shed light on the pastoral Neolithic communities of the Rift. The hill overlooks Lake Nakuru and would have stood on the lake shore when levels were higher, which explains the settlement. A small museum in a farmhouse at the base holds finds from the excavations, and marked paths lead up the hill past the excavated areas, with the hyraxes still very much present on the rocks.

History

Mary Leakey began excavating here in 1937, finding at Site I stone enclosures and burials of the late Iron Age above a much older Late Stone Age layer, and in 1938 she excavated Site II (Wikipedia, Hyrax Hill Prehistoric Site and Museum).

Highlights

• Excavated settlement areas - Neolithic and Iron Age remains on the hill.
• Burial mounds and pits - the graves and features Leakey uncovered.
• The site museum - pottery, tools and ornaments from the digs.
• Rock hyraxes - the animals that gave the hill its name.

When to go

Year-round; Nakuru's highland climate is mild. Mornings are best for the walk up and views over the lake. The museum keeps standard hours and closes on some public holidays.

What to expect

The remains are low walls, pits and outlines that need the museum and a guide to make sense of. The museum is small and dated in presentation. The hill is short but the path is uneven. An hour or two covers everything.

Nearby

Lake Nakuru National Park is adjacent; Menengai crater rises north of the town.