January 31, 2020
Spotlight on
Lucy
, Order Primates, Family Hominidae, Australopithecus aferensis, Middle Pliocene, Ethiopia
How did she get her name?
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For African-American History Month we are displaying a rare laboratory cast specimen of the famous Lucy skeleton, a 3.2 million year old human ancestor found in Ethiopia in 1974.
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Photo by Steven Salisbury
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Lucy, Order Primates,
Family Hominidae
Australopithecus afarensis
Middle Pliocene, Ethiopia
The genealogy of humankind emerges with the line of australopithecine hominids, which appears to have begun between 4 and 5 million years ago with the appearance of
Australopithecus anamensis
(“Southern Ape of the Lake”) and its earliest descendants, the well-documented
Australopithecus afarensis
(“Southern Ape of Afar”). Presumably descended from a divergent group of Miocene apes such as
Kenyapithecus,
these early species of gracile australopiths are the most primitive known. Among the oldest and most complete remains of an erect-walking ancestral hominid ever found, this amazing
afarensis
skeleton is dated at about 3.2 million years. Known throughout the world as “Lucy” (from a Beatles song), it was discovered in Radar, Ethiopia in 1974 by Donald Johanson and Tom Gray. Lucy was 3-and-a-half feet tall and about 25 years old when she died. Though her scarcely worn wisdom teeth had only recently erupted, she was already showing signs of bone disease on her spine. Whether she accidentally drowned or quietly laid down in the sand and died, her remains were deposited in the shore of an ancient lake and covered over by sediment until eventually exposed by rain.
Lucy herself had an apelike face with a low forehead, resembling far more her recent arboreal, chimp-like ancestors than her distant
Homo
descendants. With slimmer hips and narrower birth canals, females apparently gave birth to infants with far smaller heads and brains. Possessing smaller canines than their quadrupedal ancestors, they presumably foraged in family groups for fruits and seeds along the vanished lakes and streams of Ethiopia and Tanzania, possibly sleeping in high tree branches to avoid predators. Disappearing by 2.5 million years ago, this hominid species gave rise to all of the subsequently varied tribes of
Australopithecus
and
Homo.
Courtesy of the Institute of Human Origins. National Museum of Ethiopia.
Below is a link to a video with Donald Johanson, the paleoanthropoligist who found Lucy.
Albert0, MoAW's Executive Director, is working on bringing Donald Johanson to the Coachella Valley for a lecture on his discovery of Lucy. Please give him a call at the museum if you are interested in helping sponsor this historic event.
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A Special Thank You to
Zachary Weingart
As MoAW Spotlights a stunning piece out of its numerous collections, so we do with individuals who have passionately supported our efforts to establish the Museum of Ancient Wonders in Cathedral City. Our commendation this week goes to Mr. Zachary Weingart, a man who recognizes and appreciates the importance of learning about history. From the museum’s inception, Mr. Weingart has provided physical, material, spiritual, and financial support for our heroic efforts. We salute Zachary for his unwavering support and inspiring devotion to the Museum of Ancient Wonders.
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Each Friday we highlight a different artifact or fossil from MoAW's collection. With over 250 currently on display, with rotating exhibits and future acquisitions, we won't run out of pieces to spotlight anytime soon.
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Next Week;
Order Ornithischia,
Family Hadrosauridae
Maiasaura peeblesorum
Late Cretaceous, Montana
Learn about this tiny baby dinosaur, how big he would grow, what he ate and what life was like for him.
Open next weeks email and learn.
Do you have a favorite piece at MoAW you would like to see highlighted in our weekly email? Write to us at info@moaw and let us know.
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The Latest MoAW
In the News:
It takes a village and MoAW has some amazing people in its village. Steven Salisbury, an amazingly talented photographer and videographer has produced a video for MoAW of the diorama in the front of the museum showing the
Golden Panel of Isis and Nephthys
and the
Gilt Miniature Sarcophagus and Guardians
. This is the first in a series Steven will be producing.
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Yes, it takes a village to make a museum successful. Join our village by being a member, joining our 3-C's monthly giving club, if you want to know what the 3 c's are click below, or donating any amount, we appreciate everyone who helps in any way. If you are interested in sponsoring programs or exhibits please call or stop in and we can discuss some of these.
MoAW is recognized by the IRS as a 501-c-3 non-profit organization.
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Membership Has It's Privileges.
One of the privileges of membership is access to the
MTA
, the
Museum Travel Alliance.
Museum Travel Alliance (MTA) is a consortium of museums and cultural institutions whose patrons and members are passionate about cultural travel. MTA is able to offer its constituents access to a curated selection of exclusive travel opportunities led by renowned scholars and curators. Travel with like-minded enthusiasts on international and domestic journeys that awaken new insights into art and culture. Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, travel on elegant chartered vessels and luxury trains, go behind the scenes of major cultural institutions as you discover world masterpieces in context, and enjoy local culinary delights.
In a future highlight newsletter we will have information on a
trip to the Greek Isles
that MTA is running and compliments our "
Vessels of the Gods
" exhibit that will be on display after the current school year. Below is a link to "Vessels of the Gods" on our website.
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