Pre-historic tools and remains of hominids discovered in Malawi's remote northern district of Karonga provides further proof that the area could be the cradle of humankind.

Professor Friedemann Schrenk of the Goethe University in Frankfurt told Reuters News that two students working on the excavation site in September 2009 had discovered prehistoric tools and a tooth of a hominid.

"This latest discovery of prehistoric tools and remains of hominids provides additional proof to the theory that the Great Rift Valley of Africa and perhaps the excavation site near Karonga can be considered the cradle of humankind."

[4] In 1883 a British trading post, which formed the basis of the modern town, was opened there.

[4] British explorer Sir Harry Johnston bought the post in 1895 and ended the slave trade on Lake Nyasa's western shore.

Karonga is at an elevation of 478 metres (1,568 ft) on the western shore of Lake Nyasa.

"[12] The economy of the area is based on cotton, rice and maize production along the lake and on coffee and livestock in the west.