Exzellenzcluster - HUMAN ORIGINS

Edward Masongo

Doctoral Researcher

A picture of a fieldwork site, a trench in the foreground with stones and excavation tools like trowels and a bucket in it. In the background, there is a boulder with rock carvings. In front of the boulder, Edward Masongo is sitting holding a folder and writing. He is a black man wearing a red baseball cap, a mustard yellow short sleeve shirt and short cargo pants as well as beige desert working boots.

Universität Tübingen

HUMAN ORIGINS Cluster of Excellence

Hölderlinstraße 12
D-72074 Tübingen

R. S550
edward-anania.masongo@uni-tuebingen.de

Research

“ I am a prehistoric archaeologist specialising in human-environment interactions, lithic technology, and Heritage Management. My experience includes managing cultural World Heritage sites in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including the Laetoli site, where I investigate the Late Pleistocene-Holocene period.”

Curriculum vitae

Since 06/2026
Doctoral Researcher

Human Origins Cluster of Excellence, University of Tübingen

2024-present
Heritage Manager

Laetoli Paleoanthropological World Heritage Site 

2023
Master of Arts in Archaeology

University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Thesis: The Later Stone Age of Laetoli area, northern Tanzania.

2021-present
Principal Investigator

The Late Pleistocene-Holocene period of the Laetoli area in northern Tanzania

2019-present
Heritage Manager

Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority 

2013
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Archaeology and History

University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Scientific work

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article


Masongo, E. A., & Mabulla, A. Z. P. (2025). Late Pleistocene to Middle Holocene human occupation of Laetoli highlands in northern Tanzania. UTAFITI, 20(1), 53–78. DOI: 10.1163/26836408-15020110

Masongo, E.A., & Mohamed, M.R. (2026). Integrating a Landscape Approach for the Sustainable Preservation of Laetoli Footprints. Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13505033.2026.2639416. 
 

Conferences

Masongo, E.A. (2022). The Later Stone Age of Laetoli area, northern Tanzania. East African Association of Paleoanthropologists and Palaeontologists (EAAPP), Arusha, Tanzania.

Musiba, C., Mwambungu, M., Mwankunda, J., Masongo, E.A., Kilindo, S., Pelissero, A., & Thornburg, R. (2022). Who own the past: decentring conservation of hominin footprints at Laetoli Sites. EAAPP, Arusha, Tanzania.
 

Grants & Awards

2022  The Palaeontological Scientific Trust (PI) Archaeological Investigation of the Later Stone Age in Laetoli Area, Northern Tanzania.