The fossilized bones of the famous "Lucy" will be exhibited for the first time in a European museum.
The prehistoric skeleton discovered in Ethiopia has left the country and will be exhibited at the National Museum in Prague for approximately two months.
The skeleton that belonged to the species Australopithecus afarensis, a primitive hominid that lived in Africa, is 40% complete .
When we think about Lucy, her scientific value is one thing, but on the other hand, even though she was discovered in Ethiopia, Lucy is such an iconic specimen that she belongs to the whole world. So everyone would like to share her with the rest of the world,” explained Yohannes Haile-Selassie, director of the Institute of Human Origin at Arizona State University.
The fossil "Lucy" is 3.2 million years old. It was discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 in what was once an ancient lake.
Lucy's discovery was particularly important because her bones show signs of bipedalism, a defining characteristic of human evolution.
“She brings people together. She gives them the opportunity to see her. That’s how I see her trip this time to the Czech Republic. She becomes a kind of diplomat, creating links between people, links between governments. It’s really positive, and I think it should be encouraged,” said Yohannes Haile-Selassie, director of the Institute of Human Origin at Arizona State University.
This is the second time Lucy has left Ethiopia, the first time being between 2007 and 2013, when she toured the United States.
"I think for the rest of the world, it's a good thing to raise awareness about Lucy's origins and create a link between them and their past," said Paul Artus, a New Zealand tourist.
"It's part of everyone's story. We all come from it. So everyone should be able to identify with Lucy and understand what she represents for us as a species that has evolved," said Australian tourist Patricia Silton.
While many experts believe Lucy's journey is a unique opportunity for Europeans and the rest of the world, some are concerned about her safety.
Some fear that the fragile bones may be damaged during transport or by different climatic conditions.
At the National Museum of Ethiopia, a replica of Lucy is on display, while the actual remains are kept in a vault for protection.
