Disclosing the Past : An Autobiography

by Mary Leakey

The renowned anthropologist offers an incisive, inside look at her remarkable family and discusses her work with her husband in East Africa and their discoveries, which forever altered the course of modern anthropology

Genres: Nonfiction, Archaeology, Science, Anthropology, Biography, Autobiography, Africa

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Mary Douglas Nicol Leakey was a British archaeologist and anthropologist, who discovered the first fossilized Proconsul skull, an extinct ape now believed to be ancestral to humans, and also discovered the robust Zinjanthropus skull at Olduvai Gorge. For much of her career she worked together with her husband, Louis Leakey, in Olduvai Gorge, uncovering the tools and fossils of ancient hominines. She developed a system for classifying the stone tools found at Olduvai. She also discovered the Laetoli footprints. In 1960 she became director of excavation at Olduvai and subsequently took it over, building her own staff. After the death of her husband she became a leading palaeoanthropologist, helping to establish the Leakey tradition by training her son, Richard, in the field.

Reviews

[Francesca Calarco · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was in college and just beginning to learn about anthropology and archaeology, I had one professor who would basically use the last five-ten minutes of class to share “crazy” fieldwork stories. These included seasons he spent with others in the field, including a couple of the Leakeys. This professor was not someone who took life (or people) seriously, but his recollections of Mary Leakey were nevertheless steeped in reverence. Decades later, he was still dumbfounded by how laser focused someone could be on their fieldwork while chain smoking and giving zero fucks.

I always felt lucky to get to study a field with prominent founding mothers like Mary Leakey, and so getting to read her own recollections in Disclosing the Past felt like an extra special treat. She truly was a gruff individual who favored the vigor of fieldwork over the diplomacy of being a famous name. In addition to covering her major fieldwork in East Africa, the book also covers the details of her partnership with Louis Leakey, as well as the work of her sons (including Richard). Most interesting, was reading about her fieldwork in Laetoli, especially as this happened after the death of her husband.

Laetoli is a prominent discovery in that it revealed that early hominids developed bipedalism before developing large brains. Prior to this point that had been much back and forth in the anthropological community over which had developed first. Mary Leakey, a pragmatic soul who favored the concrete evidence of fieldwork over theoretical approaches—really nails down the value of this approach in plain language and backs it up with the fruit of decades of work.

I’m undoubtedly biased, but Mary Leakey really was an interesting figure who deserves to have respect put on her name. This book was great, and one I would recommend to anyone studying archaeology, anthropology, or looking to learn about prominent women in science.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read for anyone even remotely interested in the Leakey work.Or Africa. Or early professional women from the early 1930's on. Or prehistory and paleo-botany.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love archaeology and Mary Leakey is one of the most famous archaeologists ever. This book is the story of her life (autobiographical) from birth through her later years. I found it to be very interesting and I really enjoyed the stories she told about her experiences with African wildlife. The only complaint I have about the book is that I would have loved more detail on the digs themselves. But, this was the story of HER life, NOT the story of the digs, so this is really a weak complaint on my part. Overall, a wonderful story if you are into biographies, archaeology, or events that occurred in East Africa.

[Valerie]

Mary Leakey was a brilliant, if crochety, scientist. (She's legendary in her field for keeping rock hyraxes as pets--apparently they can't be housebroken). She wasn't, however, very good at popularizing her work. One of the main successes of her marriage with Louis Leakey was that he WAS very good at popularizing. After he died, she was left to speak on her own, with mixed success.

Her work, however, was very important--it's a pity she didn't manage to attract another good publicist, after she was widowed. The book is worth reading, but it may not be so fun to read.

[Janice Horning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Leakey's account of her childhood, exposure to art, and early acquaintance with artifacts explains how her adventurous anthropological career was jump-started! This is a "must-read" for anyone looking for a great story of a female scientist!

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Mary Leakey after reading this. I feel like I can relate to her and am somewhat envious of her exciting life.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Basically, I have been impelled by curiosity."--Mary Leakey

[TYLER VANHUYSE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Leakey lived an unbelievably adventurous and devout life, giving all of her days to archaeology. In this autobiography, that, and her sincere love for the pursuit of knowledge about homo sapiens’ past become abundantly apparent.

I read this for a character profile, but I found myself sincerely interested in the scientific studies associated with her work. I appreciated the knowledge I gained and the perspective through which I gained it. Mary Leakey is certainly eccentric.

Ultimately, I gave it a three because the content had very little chronology at times and Mary has a tendency to meander more often than not. I’m confident that if i had a more significant interest in archaeology, this could have been a four star autobiography. Sorry, Mary.

[Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what an amazing life Mary Douglas Leakey led! By reading of her discoveries and accomplishments in anthropology and archaeology I have learned so much I did not know about what she and others had discovered.

[Sarah Key · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with Mary Leakey.

[Alexi Ssss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was all I hoped it would be and more!!!
It had everything I look for both in books and in life: animals, adventure, travel, ghosts, and archaeology.
Highly recommend