The Lucy skeleton is approximately 3.2 million years old.
This remarkable fossil, scientifically known as Australopithecus afarensis, represents one of the most significant discoveries in understanding early human evolution. Its age provides invaluable insights into the period when our ancestors first began walking upright.
Lucy was unearthed in 1974 in Hadar, Ethiopia, a region renowned for its rich deposits of hominin fossils. The specific paleontological site where fragments of her skeleton were found is identified by scientists as Afar Locality 288 (A.L. 288). Lucy's relatively complete skeleton offers crucial evidence about the anatomy and lifestyle of early human ancestors, particularly their locomotion.
Key Facts About Lucy
- Species: Australopithecus afarensis
- Age: Approximately 3.2 million years old
- Discovery Year: 1974
- Discovery Location: Hadar, Ethiopia (Afar Locality 288)
- Significance: A pivotal fossil for studying bipedalism and early human evolution.
To learn more about Lucy and her place in human history, you can explore resources from institutions like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
