Iconic 'Lucy' Fossil Departs Ethiopia for European Debut

In a significant move, the iconic 'Lucy' fossil has departed Ethiopia and is set to be displayed at the Czech National Museum in Prague for approximately two months. The 40% complete skeleton of the Australopithecus afarensis, an early human species that lived in Africa between 4 and 3 million years ago, was recovered in Ethiopia in 1974.

This is the second time 'Lucy' has left her home country, with the first being a tour of the United States in 2013. While many experts believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people in Europe and beyond to witness the prized fossil, there are also safety concerns regarding the transportation and preservation of the fragile remains.

The fragmented bones of 'Lucy' are truly unique and require utmost care. Exposing the fossil to different climate conditions during the journey to Europe could potentially have negative impacts on its preservation. Even in Ethiopia, the public has only occasionally seen the real 'Lucy' fossil, as a replica is typically exhibited while the actual remains are stored in a secure vault.

Despite the excitement surrounding the exhibition, the quiet departure of 'Lucy' on Thursday night has raised questions about transparency, as many Ethiopians were unaware of her journey to Europe. The government's decision to sideline the public from the narrative of their own heritage has been met with disappointment by some.