Lucy, the 3.1-Million-Year-Old Human Ancestor, on Display in Prague Museum

A Rare Opportunity to See the Fossilized Remains

The National Museum of Prague is set to host a unique exhibition featuring the fossilized remains of Lucy, a 3.18-million-year-old human ancestor. This is the first time the ancient remains will be displayed in Europe, and it is a rare opportunity for tourists and researchers to see these priceless fossils up close.

A Brief History of Lucy

Lucy was discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 and was initially considered the most complete human ancestor ever found. The find revolutionized the understanding of humanity’s ancestors and has since been the subject of extensive research and study.

The Exhibition

The exhibition, titled “Human Origins and Fossils,” will feature Lucy’s skeletal remains alongside those of Selam, a fossilized baby Australopithecus who was found in the same location 25 years later. The exhibition will run for two months, from August 25, at the National Museum of Prague.

About Lucy

In her current shape, Lucy consists of fossilized dental remains, skull fragments, parts of the pelvis, and femur. She was a 1.1-meter-tall, 29-kilogramme hominid who walked on two legs and is thought to have died between the ages of 11 and 13. Lucy was named after the Beatles’ song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which the team that discovered her listened to after the find.

Interesting Facts About Lucy

* Lucy had strong upper arms, suggesting she regularly climbed trees and nested in branches at night.
* She had relatively weak legs that were not used for climbing and were inefficient for walking.
* An analysis of a fracture on one of Lucy’s bones suggested that she probably died from a fall from a tall tree.
* Lucy was considered the oldest human ancestor found until the discovery of “Toumai” in Chad in 2001, a skull dated to six or seven million years old.
* Lucy was dethroned of her status as the longest living human relative in 1994 following the discovery of Ardi, a female Ardipithecus ramidus who lived 4.5 million years ago.

Conclusion

The exhibition at the National Museum of Prague is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the fossilized remains of Lucy, a 3.1-million-year-old human ancestor. The exhibition will provide a unique insight into the life and times of this ancient hominid and is a must-see for anyone interested in human history and evolution.

FAQs

Q: When will the exhibition be held?
A: The exhibition will run from August 25 to October 25 at the National Museum of Prague.

Q: What will be on display?
A: The exhibition will feature the fossilized remains of Lucy, a 3.18-million-year-old human ancestor, alongside those of Selam, a fossilized baby Australopithecus.

Q: How long did Lucy live?
A: Lucy is thought to have died between the ages of 11 and 13.

Q: Why was Lucy named after the Beatles’ song?
A: The team that discovered Lucy listened to the Beatles’ song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” after the find, and the name stuck.