Latest news with #Selam
The Star
2 days ago
- Science
- The Star
Ethiopian fossil Lucy leaves for her first exhibition in Europe
A file image of the framed hominid fossil 'Lucy' is seen at a 2006 exhibition at the Ethiopian Natural History Museum in Addis Ababa. Photo: AP The human ancestor fossil known as Lucy left Ethiopia for display in a European museum, Ethiopian national media reported on Friday, citing Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa. Lucy's skeleton, which is 40% complete, left Ethiopia on Friday and will be displayed at the Czech National Museum in Prague for approximately two months. Lucy was recovered in Ethiopia in 1974 from what was an ancient lake near fossilized remains of crocodiles, turtle eggs and crab claws. She was a member of Australopithecus afarensis, an early human species that lived in Africa between about 4 million and 3 million years ago. This is the second time Lucy has left Ethiopia. The first was in 2013, when she toured the United States. Lucy's fragmented bones will be exhibited alongside Selam, the fossil of an Australopithecus baby that is about 100,000 years older than Lucy and was discovered in the same region 25 years later. "As an iconic specimen, she belongs to the whole world, so sharing her with the rest of humanity is something that everyone would love to see,' said Yohannes Haile-Selassie, Director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University. While many experts believe Lucy's trip to Europe presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people in Europe and beyond, there are safety concerns about the transportation of her fragile bones. "The fragmented bones of Lucy are truly unique and need utmost care. Traveling to Europe has its own risks,' said Gidey Gebreegziabher, an archaeologist and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Warsaw, Poland, "She will also be exposed to different climate conditions, which could potentially have negative impacts on her preservation.' Even in Ethiopia, the public has only occasionally seen the real Lucy fossil. At the National Museum of Ethiopia, a replica of Lucy is exhibited while the actual remains are stored in a secure vault. "I've seen how she was packed, so I have no worries about anything happening to Lucy anymore,' Yohannes said. Lucy's quiet departure on Thursday night also raises questions about transparency as many Ethiopians - who take pride in her - were unaware of her journey to Europe. "It's unbelievable! The government appears to be deliberately sidelining its people from the narrative of their own heritage,' Gebreegziabher said. Bekele Reta, 43, a resident who lives just 50m (164 feet) from the museum where Lucy is housed, was unaware of Lucy's departure until he saw it on social media. "I learned this morning on Facebook that Lucy has departed for Prague. It's unfortunate that most Ethiopians only have the opportunity to see her showcased elsewhere.' he said. Early this year, the director general of the Czech National Museum, Michal Lukes, in a statement announcing the exhibition of Lucy and Selam, expressed his appreciation of the Ethiopians for agreeing to "lend' the remains. "These priceless exhibits give us a unique insight into the past and deepen our understanding of humanity's roots,' said Lukes. - AP
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Ethiopia's famous fossils of Lucy, Selam to be displayed in Czech Republic
ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's famous hominid fossils, Lucy and Selam, have left for Central Europe for display in an upcoming exhibition on human origins in the Czech Republic. In a statement issued Friday, the Ethiopian Ministry of Tourism announced that the East African country's world-renowned hominid fossils will be featured at the National Museum in Prague, the Czech capital, for a 60-day display beginning Aug. 25. During a ceremony at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport on Friday, senior Ethiopian government officials, including the country's Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa, bid farewell to the remains of Lucy and Selam. The tourism minister said during the occasion that the upcoming exhibition in Prague "will showcase Ethiopia's status as the land of origins and the true cradle of humankind to the world." "So far, we have been promoting Lucy to the world, and now Lucy will promote the new Ethiopia to the world," the statement quoted Kassa as saying. She stressed that beyond its scientific significance, the upcoming exhibition in Prague "will play an important role in promoting the East African country's rich history, natural and cultural heritages, as well as magnificent landscapes." Lucy, locally known in Ethiopia as "Dinknesh," is the fossilized skeleton of a female who lived approximately 3.2 million years ago. The remains were discovered in 1974 in Ethiopia's Afar region. Experts argued that the discovery of Lucy shed new light on how humans evolved and changed over time. Selam, the fossilized remains of a child who lived about 100,000 years before Lucy, was discovered in 2000. The two hominid fossils represent key evidence in understanding Ethiopia's importance as the land of origins, while also providing evidence about the early stages of human development.
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Los Angeles Times
Ethiopian fossil Lucy leaves for her first exhibition in Europe
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The human ancestor fossil known as Lucy left Ethiopia for display in a European museum, Ethiopian national media reported Friday, citing Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa. Lucy's skeleton, which is 40% complete, left Ethiopia on Friday and will be displayed at the Czech National Museum in Prague for approximately two months. Lucy was recovered in Ethiopia in 1974 from what was an ancient lake near fossilized remains of crocodiles, turtle eggs and crab claws. She was a member of Australopithecus afarensis, an early human species that lived in Africa between about 4 million and 3 million years ago. This is the second time Lucy has left Ethiopia. The first was in 2013, when she toured the United States. Lucy's fragmented bones will be exhibited alongside Selam, the fossil of an Australopithecus baby that is about 100,000 years older than Lucy and was discovered in the same region 25 years later. 'As an iconic specimen, she belongs to the whole world, so sharing her with the rest of humanity is something that everyone would love to see,' said Yohannes Haile-Selassie, Director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University. While many experts believe Lucy's trip to Europe presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people in Europe and beyond, there are safety concerns about the transportation of her fragile bones. 'The fragmented bones of Lucy are truly unique and need utmost care. Traveling to Europe has its own risks,' said Gidey Gebreegziabher, an archaeologist and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Warsaw, Poland, 'She will also be exposed to different climate conditions, which could potentially have negative impacts on her preservation.' Even in Ethiopia, the public has only occasionally seen the real Lucy fossil. At the National Museum of Ethiopia, a replica of Lucy is exhibited while the actual remains are stored in a secure vault. 'I've seen how she was packed, so I have no worries about anything happening to Lucy anymore,' Yohannes said. Lucy's quiet departure on Thursday night also raises questions about transparency as many Ethiopians —who take pride in her — were unaware of her journey to Europe. 'It's unbelievable! The government appears to be deliberately sidelining its people from the narrative of their own heritage,' Gebreegziabher said. Bekele Reta, 43, a resident who lives just 164 feet from the museum where Lucy is housed, was unaware of Lucy's departure until he saw it on social media. 'I learned this morning on Facebook that Lucy has departed for Prague. It's unfortunate that most Ethiopians only have the opportunity to see her showcased elsewhere.' he said. Early this year, the director general of the Czech National Museum, Michal Lukeš, in a statement announcing the exhibition of Lucy and Selam, expressed his appreciation of the Ethiopians for agreeing to 'lend' the remains. 'These priceless exhibits give us a unique insight into the past and deepen our understanding of humanity's roots,' said Lukeš. Birhane writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Evelyne Musambi contributed to this report from Nairobi, Kenya.
3 days ago
- Science
Ethiopian fossil Lucy leaves for her first exhibition in Europe
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- The human ancestor fossil known as Lucy left Ethiopia for display in a European museum, Ethiopian national media reported Friday, citing Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa. Lucy's skeleton, which is 40% complete, left Ethiopia on Friday and will be displayed at the Czech National Museum in Prague for approximately two months. Lucy was recovered in Ethiopia in 1974 from what was an ancient lake near fossilized remains of crocodiles, turtle eggs and crab claws. She was a member of Australopithecus afarensis, an early human species that lived in Africa between about 4 million and 3 million years ago. This is the second time Lucy has left Ethiopia. The first was in 2013, when she toured the United States. Lucy's fragmented bones will be exhibited alongside Selam, the fossil of an Australopithecus baby that is about 100,000 years older than Lucy and was discovered in the same region 25 years later. 'As an iconic specimen, she belongs to the whole world, so sharing her with the rest of humanity is something that everyone would love to see,' said Yohannes Haile-Selassie, Director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University. While many experts believe Lucy's trip to Europe presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people in Europe and beyond, there are safety concerns about the transportation of her fragile bones. 'The fragmented bones of Lucy are truly unique and need utmost care. Traveling to Europe has its own risks,' said Gidey Gebreegziabher, an archaeologist and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Warsaw, Poland, 'She will also be exposed to different climate conditions, which could potentially have negative impacts on her preservation.' Even in Ethiopia, the public has only occasionally seen the real Lucy fossil. At the National Museum of Ethiopia, a replica of Lucy is exhibited while the actual remains are stored in a secure vault. 'I've seen how she was packed, so I have no worries about anything happening to Lucy anymore,' Yohannes said. Lucy's quiet departure on Thursday night also raises questions about transparency as many Ethiopians —who take pride in her — were unaware of her journey to Europe. 'It's unbelievable! The government appears to be deliberately sidelining its people from the narrative of their own heritage,' Gebreegziabher said. Bekele Reta, 43, a resident who lives just 50 meters (164 feet) from the museum where Lucy is housed, was unaware of Lucy's departure until he saw it on social media. 'I learned this morning on Facebook that Lucy has departed for Prague. It's unfortunate that most Ethiopians only have the opportunity to see her showcased elsewhere.' he said. Early this year, the director general of the Czech National Museum, Michal Lukeš, in a statement announcing the exhibition of Lucy and Selam, expressed his appreciation of the Ethiopians for agreeing to 'lend' the remains. 'These priceless exhibits give us a unique insight into the past and deepen our understanding of humanity's roots,' said Lukeš.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Science
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ethiopian fossil Lucy leaves for her first exhibition in Europe
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — The human ancestor fossil known as Lucy left Ethiopia for display in a European museum, Ethiopian national media reported Friday, citing Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa. Lucy's skeleton, which is 40% complete, left Ethiopia on Friday and will be displayed at the Czech National Museum in Prague for approximately two months. Lucy was recovered in Ethiopia in 1974 from what was an ancient lake near fossilized remains of crocodiles, turtle eggs and crab claws. She was a member of Australopithecus afarensis, an early human species that lived in Africa between about 4 million and 3 million years ago. This is the second time Lucy has left Ethiopia. The first was in 2013, when she toured the United States. Lucy's fragmented bones will be exhibited alongside Selam, the fossil of an Australopithecus baby that is about 100,000 years older than Lucy and was discovered in the same region 25 years later. 'As an iconic specimen, she belongs to the whole world, so sharing her with the rest of humanity is something that everyone would love to see,' said Yohannes Haile-Selassie, Director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University. While many experts believe Lucy's trip to Europe presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people in Europe and beyond, there are safety concerns about the transportation of her fragile bones. 'The fragmented bones of Lucy are truly unique and need utmost care. Traveling to Europe has its own risks,' said Gidey Gebreegziabher, an archaeologist and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Warsaw, Poland, 'She will also be exposed to different climate conditions, which could potentially have negative impacts on her preservation.' Even in Ethiopia, the public has only occasionally seen the real Lucy fossil. At the National Museum of Ethiopia, a replica of Lucy is exhibited while the actual remains are stored in a secure vault. 'I've seen how she was packed, so I have no worries about anything happening to Lucy anymore,' Yohannes said. Lucy's quiet departure on Thursday night also raises questions about transparency as many Ethiopians —who take pride in her — were unaware of her journey to Europe. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. 'It's unbelievable! The government appears to be deliberately sidelining its people from the narrative of their own heritage,' Gebreegziabher said. Bekele Reta, 43, a resident who lives just 50 meters (164 feet) from the museum where Lucy is housed, was unaware of Lucy's departure until he saw it on social media. 'I learned this morning on Facebook that Lucy has departed for Prague. It's unfortunate that most Ethiopians only have the opportunity to see her showcased elsewhere.' he said. Early this year, the director general of the Czech National Museum, Michal Lukeš, in a statement announcing the exhibition of Lucy and Selam, expressed his appreciation of the Ethiopians for agreeing to 'lend' the remains. 'These priceless exhibits give us a unique insight into the past and deepen our understanding of humanity's roots,' said Lukeš.
