Dr. Emmanuel Ndiema, a renowned Senior Research Scientist, currently presides as the Head of the Earth Sciences Department at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK). He was born on Mount Elgon, an area rich with the legacy of his ancestors who resided in the mountain's caves. This deep connection to his roots has fueled his passion and commitment to the field of archaeology.

He boasts an extensive educational background, beginning with a B.A. in Anthropology and an M.A. in Archaeology from the University of Nairobi. He furthered his studies at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA, where he earned another M.A. in Anthropology and a PhD. In addition to his affiliation with Rutgers, Dr. Ndiema is associated with the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology in Jena, Germany.

With a career dedicated to understanding human cultural adaptations to climatic changes, Dr. Ndiema has specialized in investigating the origins and expansions of pastoral livelihoods in eastern Africa. His insights into the domestication of livestock and the associated cultural shifts are grounded in exhaustive research and fieldwork.

Dr. Ndiema has been exceptionally active in safeguarding Kenya’s heritage. He has participated in numerous heritage and impact mitigation projects, especially in the energy and infrastructure sectors. His work ensures a harmonious balance between developmental projects and the preservation of cultural heritage. Among the prominent projects he has been involved in are Tullow Oil, Lake Turkana Wind Power, Kipeto Wind Power, Mombasa Gate Bridge, and the environmental audit for the British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) team. Each project underscored his commitment to implementing strategies that preserve the integrity of cultural and historical sites while facilitating progressive development..

Dr. Ndiema is at the forefront of integrating digital technologies into the preservation and dissemination of Kenya’s extensive archaeological record. He is convinced that digitization will transform the public’s interaction with museums across Africa, rendering the rich cultural heritage more accessible and relevant to diverse audiences.

For a detailed overview of his works and contributions to the field of archaeology, please visit Dr. Ndiema's Research Gate profile. His relentless efforts not only preserve the past but also ensure that it continues to inform and enrich the present and future generations.

Publications

Ranhorn, K. L., Mavuso, S., Colarossi, D., Dogandžić, T., O’Brien, K., Ribordy, M., Ssebuyungo, C., Warren, S., Harris, J. W., Braun, D. R., & Ndiema, E. (2023). By the lakeshore: Multi-scalar geoarchaeology in the Turkana Basin at GaJj17, Koobi Fora (Kenya). Quaternary Science Reviews, 317, 108257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.108257

Hildebrand, E., Grillo, K. M., Chritz, K. L., Fischer, M. L., Goldstein, S. T., Janzen, A., Junginger, A., Kinyanjui, R., Ndiema, E., Sawchuk, E. A., Beyin, A., & Pfeiffer, S. (2022). Buffering new risks? Environmental, social and economic changes in the Turkana Basin during and after the African Humid Period. The Holocene, 32(12), 1373–1392. https://doi.org/10.1177/09596836221121766.