A remarkable scientific discovery has been announced in Ethiopia’s Afar Region, specifically in the Woranso-Mille area. A 3.4-million-year-old hominid skeleton has been uncovered, and experts say it is a close evolutionary relative of “Lucy,” the famous Australopithecus afarensis skeleton discovered in 1974 in the same region. This 3.4-million-year-old human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia was named “Lucy’s Close Relative.”
The finding was made public by Professor Yohannes Haile-Selassie, a paleoanthropologist from Arizona State University. According to Professor Yohannes, the newly discovered hominid lived during the same period as Lucy, making it one of Lucy’s closest known relatives. Because of this relationship, researchers are calling the fossil “Lucy’s Close Relative.”
Professor Yohannes noted that the Afar region continues to produce groundbreaking discoveries that strengthen Ethiopia’s position as a crucial site for understanding early human evolution. He added that ongoing research concerning the 3.4-million-year-old human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia is uncovering important evidence that contributes to our knowledge of human origins.
Officials from Ethiopia also emphasized the significance of the discovery. Ato Abebaw, Director of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority, stated that findings like the 3.4-million-year-old human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia once again confirm that Ethiopia is the cradle of humankind.
This is not the first major discovery in the region. In July 2017, a research team from Arizona State University uncovered a 2.8-million-year-old homini fossil in Ledi-Geraru, also in the Afar Region. That specimen was classified under the genus Australopithecus, further reinforcing the region’s importance in human evolutionary studies.
The discovery of this new 3.4-million-year-old skeleton adds another important chapter to Ethiopia’s rich heritage and global scientific history. The 3.4-million-year-old human ancestor discovered in Ethiopia truly enriches our understanding of human evolution.
