The origins of Homo Erectus and the tell-tale signs that paint a vivid picture of life two million years ago.
To capture the living legend, Dr. Jack Harris, an archaeologist who has worked in East Africa for over 50 years. He is the real Indiana Jones but looks more like Santa Claus at the age of 80. One of the last of his kind still active in the field, he is now on his last dig: the preservation of hominid footprints.
Driving through the Chalbi desert, press the image to see stills from the film.
Documenting the journey into the remote area of Northern Kenya, Illeret which lies close to the Ethiopian border. A group of scientists and locals are working together to create an exhibit and small museum at the site where these footprints were found. It is a project, one of the first of its kind to create an economic initiative for the local community to continue running this heritage site.
Woven into this story is the tale of Jack Harris’ life and how he came to dedicate his life to this field of study, his contribution not only scientifically but also in the practices of how he has conducted his research over decades by involving the local communities where he has worked. Jack is part of this second generation of anthropologists working in this area having been taught by the pioneers.
Jack feels most at home in these remote areas in Kenya. A far cry from the small farm on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand where he grew up. He received a Rugby Scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley. Jack jumped on an opportunity to study anthropology and a trip to Kenya that changed the course of his life forever. He found his home where our ancestors roamed, millions of years ago.
Filmmakers Faye Landborn and Anna Harris have started this documentary project to document Jack Harris’s last dig, hoping to inspire the continuation of his legacy, but from Jack’s daughter Anna, also as a way of truly getting to know her father.
Want to watch a teaser? Check out the video below.
After spending eight weeks in the desert, we're now looking for collaborators to join in to see this film through to completion and spread Jack Harris' legacy.
Can you join us with your expertise or capital to fund the film through post-production?
Join and support Jack's last dig: Reach us using the form below.
Thank you!
Behind the Scenes
