Fossil Lucy has been sent to its first exhibition in Europe

• Lucy has been sent to the Czech Republic for a two-month exhibition.
• The fossil is part of an important scientific heritage.
• The exhibit raises questions about the transparency of information in Ethiopia.

Lucy, a famous fossil of a human ancestor, has been sent to Ethiopia for an exhibition at a European museum. As reported by the national press of Ethiopia, the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassah confirmed that Lucy's skeleton, which is 40% complete, was sent to the National Museum of the Czech Republic in Prague for approximately two months.

Lucy was discovered in Ethiopia in 1974 at the site of an ancient lake, where fossils of crocodiles, turtles, and clams were also found. She belonged to the species Australopithecus afarensis, an early human ancestor that lived in Africa approximately 4 to 3 million years ago.

This is already the second time Lucy has been sent to Ethiopia; previously, she was sent to the USA in 2013. At the exhibition, her fragmented bones will be presented alongside Selam, a fossil that is named Australopithecus, which is 100,000 years older than Lucy.

Experts believe that Lucy's journey to Europe is a unique opportunity for people in Europe and beyond, but there are concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the transportation of her fragile bones. "The fragmented bones of Lucy are indeed unique and require special attention. The journey to Europe has its risks," noted Gideon Gebreegziabher, an archaeologist and aspirant at the University of Warsaw.

Even in Ethiopia, the public has only seen a replica of Lucy's original fossil. At the National Museum of Ethiopia, her replica is displayed, while the actual remains are kept in a secure storage. "I have seen how they packed her, so I have no concerns about the safety of Lucy," added Yohannes Haile-Selassie, director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University.

This recent trip of Lucy raised questions about transparency, as many Ethiopians who pride themselves on her know little about her journey to Europe. "It’s unbelievable! The government is supposed to involve its people in the knowledge of their heritage," noted Gebreegziabher. Bekele Retta, a 43-year-old resident living just 50 meters from the museum, learned about Lucy's journey only through social media.

Earlier this year, the general director of the National Museum of the Czech Republic, Michal Lukeš, expressed concern about the Ethiopian fossils, as they managed to "position" the remains. "These invaluable specimens give us a unique understanding of the past and deepen our understanding of the roots of humanity," said Lukeš.

Tags: Europe/Czech Republic