The world famous fossil of “Lucy”, one of the oldest testimonies of human evolution, has left Ethiopia to be presented for the first time in a European museum. The Prague National Museum will host this partial skeleton ofAustralopithecus afarensis3.2 million years old.
Discovered in 1974 on the Hadar site, in the Aouache valley in Ethiopia, Lucy remains to date one of the most emblematic fossils of paleoanthropology. Its skeleton, complete at around 40 %, has provided decisive evidence of the early bipedia of hominids, a decisive step in human evolution.
A scientific heritage that has become a universal symbol
Lucy is one of the most emblematic fossils of paleoanthropology. Its skeleton, 40 %complete, has brought essential evidence on the bipedie of hominids, a key step in human evolution. But beyond its scientific importance, Lucy has become a universal symbol. “” Even if she was discovered in Ethiopia, Lucy belongs to the whole world. It brings people together, it creates links between peoples and governments “, Underlines Yohannes Haile-Selassie, director of the Institute of Human Origin at the State University of Arizona.
This presentation in Prague constitutes a major cultural and tourist opportunity. Thousands of visitors are expected at the museum, attracted by the scarcity of the event. For the Czech Republic, welcoming Lucy is a prestigious showcase which strengthens the influence of its scientific and museum institutions. For Ethiopia, which jealously retains this heritage in the chests of the National Museum in Addis Ababa, this trip is a form of cultural diplomacy.
Through Lucy, the country shares part of its inheritance with the world, while strengthening its links with Europe.
Fossil diplomacy and international cooperation
This type of exhibition is part of a broader dynamic where science becomes a tool for international dialogue. The presence of Lucy in Prague could pave the way for new collaborations between Ethiopia and European institutions in the fields of archaeological research, conservation and heritage tourism. “” Lucy becomes in a way a diplomat, an ambassador of humanity “Comments Yohannes Haile-Selassie. A role that the little Australopithecus takes on naturally, which, since its discovery, has continued to rewrite the story of human origins.
If the joy of visitors is immense, some experts express their concern about the risks linked to the transport of this fragile fossil. The extremely sensitive bones could suffer from climatic variations or a handling accident.