Fifty years ago this month, the discovery of Lucy, a fossilized skeleton unearthed in Ethiopia, marked a pivotal moment in human evolution studies. Discovered on November 24, 1974, by paleontologist Don Johanson and his student Tom Gray, Lucy’s remains provided the earliest evidence of bipedalism—walking upright—dating back 3.2 million years. This finding reshaped theories on human evolution, demonstrating that walking on two feet preceded other traits like large brains and tool use.
Classified as Australopithecus afarensis, Lucy combined ape-like and human-like features, suggesting her place on a crucial branch of the evolutionary tree. She became the most complete early human skeleton when found, and her significance launched extensive research into early hominins. Her small stature and 47 preserved bones fueled scientific studies and public intrigue, solidifying her iconic status in paleoanthropology.
Lucy’s discovery spurred interest in Ethiopia’s fossil-rich Hadar region, leading to further revelations about ancient hominins. The discovery of footprints in Tanzania in 1978 confirmed upright walking in ancient species, reinforcing Lucy’s role in human evolutionary history.
In the last five decades, evolving research, including genetics, has revealed complex interactions with species like Neanderthals and Denisovans, expanding knowledge of humanity’s origins.
