ADDIS ABABA — Marking the 50th Anniversary of the discovery of Lucy’s fossils has taken on a pivotal role in promoting Ethiopia’s global image and boosting its tourism, according to Professor Yohannes Haile-Selassie, Director of the Institute of Anthropology at Arizona State University. The discovery of the human fossil, also known as Dinkinesh, half a century ago in Ethiopia is being commemorated with numerous events, including a major conference and a photo exhibition.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the ‘Year of Lucy’ began in January 2023 and includes the 9th Conference of East African Paleologists and Paleontology studies, recently held in Addis Ababa. The conference attracted 34 scholars in the field and featured a photo exhibition at the Adwa Memorial Museum. Participants also visited various historical sites in Addis Ababa, providing a comprehensive overview of Ethiopia’s rich heritage.

Professor Yohannes highlighted the national significance of these events in building Ethiopia’s image on a global scale and promoting its tourism beyond the scientific community. The conference and associated programs, which will continue until November next year, have brought together more than 240 anthropologists from 34 countries. The participants expressed their delight at visiting the Adwa Memorial Museum and the National Museum, where they observed historical relics and heritage of the country.

Abebaw Ayalew, Director of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority, emphasized the unmatched role Ethiopia plays as a source of human species fossils, stating that the visibility and image-building efforts during these events are irreplaceable. He noted that the scholars were impressed by Ethiopia’s organization of the venues and the integrated development of new natural, historical, and cultural heritage sites and tourist destinations.

The discovery of Lucy, a 3.2 million-year-old fossil, on November 24, 1974, in the Afar Region at Hadar locality, has not only sparked scientific curiosity but has also been a cornerstone in promoting Ethiopian tourism and heritage. As the Golden Jubilee of Lucy’s discovery is celebrated, Ethiopia looks forward to enhancing its tourism sector and sharing its unique historical narratives with the world.