Lucy the Australopithecus: this is what the fossil that changed everything looked like

This finding allowed us to better understand how the primate line to which we belong began.

There are many evolutionary and anthropological theories about the origin of our species, who were the first human bipeds or from which Biological chain the human species comes from. However, fossil records serve to clarify these questions.

In this regard, one of the most famous skeletons in the world is that of Lucy the Australopithecus. Next we will see on what its value is based, and why thanks to this finding we know more about the human being.

Who is Lucy the Australopithecus?

It was the autumn of 1974, when one of the most important discoveries in the history of mankind was made on the outskirts of the Ethiopian capital, about two hours by car, in Hadar. Lucy is the result of excavations in which approximately 40% of the remains of a skeleton were recovered. approximately 40% of the remains of a skeleton were recovered.. Scientists took weeks to confirm which species they belonged to.

Paleontologist Donald Johnson and his team concluded that the bone remains discovered belonged to the species correspond to the species Australopithecus afarensisspecies, the ancestor of Homo sapiens and that explains more clearly the relationship between the rest of primates and humans.

This is what this Australopithecus was like

Lucy was a female that measured just over one meter, had legs very similar to those of humans, lived about 22 years and weighed about 28 kilos.

One of the most revealing characteristics of Lucy is that, being female, she was found to have had children. How many children? It is not known for certain, but it is estimated that she may have given birth to a number of children. she may have given birth to at least three children..

Lucy's name is no accident. A team of paleontological researchers, during one of their activities in the African country of Ethiopia, discovered some skeletal remains while listening to the music of the Beatles. while listening to Beatles music.. The famous hit song Lucy in the sky of diamondsand they found the prize. According to National Geographic sources, this fossil is 3.2 million years old.

Before Homo sapiens

Another fact to take into account is the evolutionary facet of the brain. It has been pointed out that in Lucy the Australopithecus the intelligence was not too high. As far as the size of the cranial cavity is concerned, and it was at the same level of development as that of the Australopithecus. the same level of development as that of a chimpanzee.This phenomenon was due to the low capacity Lucy had at the physical level to interact with her environment, with the impossibility of handling objects and constructing her reality.

On the other hand, the part of Africa where Lucy was discovered is where the most significant findings in this field have been made. Many of the clues to the evolutionary chain lead there. After the discovery of this set of fossilized bones, some 300 fossils of 17 different individuals have been found.

A fossil on an international tour

Due to the great importance of the specimen on a scientific and historical level, Lucy is kept "under lock and key" at the Museum of Natural History in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.in Ethiopia. Nothing and no one can approach her, as the remains are in an armored security chamber, with private guards and infrared cameras. On some occasions attempts have been made to remove some pieces of the skeleton, especially in some years of internal conflict that put the security of the museum in jeopardy.

However, once political stability was consolidated in the African country, the Ethiopian government decided to take Lucy out in 2007, organizing a costly and dangerous trip to the United States of America. The logistics were not without dangers, so they opted to charter a private charter flight. The trip lasted 7 years, and different cities and states were able to meet Lucy first hand.

The same happened with the former American president, when on an official visit to Ethiopia he was granted the privilege of visiting the chamber where Lucy rests. Not only this, but the authorities allowed them to directly caress the bones of the skeleton.