Brief synthesisThe Lower Awash Valley paleo-anthropological site is located 300 km northeast of Addis Ababa, in the west of the Afar Depression. The Awash Valley contains one of the most important groupings of paleontological sites on the African continent. Criterion (iii): The excavated paleo-anthropological remains from the Lower Awash Valley dating back almost 4 million years are of exceptional antiquity. The most extensive remains assigned were found in Hadar, one of the localities within the Lower Awash Valley, but the rest of the valley is seen to have the potential to contribute to further paleontological and historical evidence. No special legal framework is provided to protect the Lower Awash Valley, except the general law, Proclamation No.