Lucy is the common name for AL 288-1, a remarkable collection of numerous bone fossils that represents approximately 40 percent of the skeleton of a female from the hominin species Australopithecus afarensis. Discovered in 1974 in Ethiopia, Lucy stands out as one of the oldest and most complete fossil skeletons of any adult, erect-walking human ancestor.
Estimates place the age of Lucy's fossils at roughly 3.2 million years. This significant age provides a fascinating glimpse into the early stages of human evolution.
The discovery of Lucy was groundbreaking, as her skeletal remains offered critical insights into the early development of human traits. They revealed a combination of human-like walking abilities alongside some ape-like characteristics. The relatively intact skeleton has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the appearance and behaviors of our early ancestors.
The name "Lucy" was inspired by the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” by The Beatles, which was playing at the excavation site when her remains were unearthed. This catchy name has since become synonymous with one of the most famous fossils in history.
Standing at approximately 1.1 meters (3 feet 7 inches) tall and weighing around 29 kilograms (64 pounds), Lucy had a brain size comparable to that of a chimpanzee. Despite her small brain, she exhibited the key characteristic of human ancestors: the ability to walk upright on two legs.
The original fossil remains of Lucy are preserved in the National Museum of Ethiopia, located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This museum serves as an important center for the study and appreciation of human ancestry.
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