50 years since the discovery of the Lucy skeleton: scientific workshops at the Musée de l'Homme

On Sunday November 24, 1974, the skeleton ofaustralopithecus Lucy was discovered, with its scientific name AL 288-1, a find that turned paleoanthropology, the science of humanity's past, on its head. Dated at 3.2 million years, this emblematic fossil will be highlighted on the weekend of November 16 and 17, 2024, at the heart of the Musée de l'Homme, through scientific workshops, shows and lectures.

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This fiftieth anniversary of Lucy's discovery will enable the general public to learn more about her through a wide range of activities. You'll even be able to consult the unpublished archives of this historic event, and travel to the National Museum of Ethiopia, where the original fossil was preserved!

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Program

Saturday, November 16th

Workshops

• 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.: Mini archaeological dig - ages 7 and up

On the theme of discoveringAustralopithecus afarensis fossils, children can take part in a workshop simulating an archaeological dig.

• 3, 3:45, 4:30 p.m.: Make your own mold - ages 5 and up

During this workshop, children will make a plaster copy of a fossil, using silicone molds, while learning about the anatomy of our distant ancestors, with Yohan Despres, a casting specialist at the Muséum.

• At 3.15pm, 4pm, 4.45pm, 5.30pm: Lucy's hands - from age 10

Anthropologist and primatologist Ameline Bardo will present the manual skills of Lucy and her contemporaries. An opportunity to explain in concrete terms the evolution of the human body.

• At 3.30pm, 4.15pm, 5pm, 5.45pm: Ainsi marchait Lucy - ages 8 and up

The locomotor abilities of Lucy and her cousins will be explained by observing footprints discovered in 1978 at Laetoli in Tanzania, and by taking part in the "Make Science Work" experiment, with paleoanthropologist Gilles Berillon and biomechanist Antoine Perrier.

Meetings and lectures - age 11 and up

• 11:15: Live from Ethiopia, with representatives from MNHN and CNRS

A videoconference meeting between the National Museum of Ethiopia (where the original Lucy fossil is preserved) and the Musée de l'Homme will enable visitors to discover the collections live with paleontologist Jean-Renaud Boisserie. A first!

• 12pm: In the footsteps of Lucy

Raymonde Bonnefille, a palynologist who took part in the 1974 excavations in Ethiopia, and Amélie Vialet, paleoanthropologist at the Musée de l'Homme, will discuss the historic nature of this major discovery, as well as its international impact and the considerable knowledge that Lucy brought to the history of science.

• 2pm: Lucy and her family

What were Lucy and her family like? What did they eat? When and where did they live? Sandrine Prat, a CNRS paleoanthropology researcher at the Musée de l'Homme, will answer these questions, which scientists have studied extensively over the last fifty years.

• 3:15 pm: Locomotion in Lucy andAustralopithecus afarensis

Paleoanthropologist Brigitte Senut will review what we know about Lucy's approach.

• 4:30 pm: Lucy's country

Geologists Raphaël Pik and Nicolas Bellahsen will discuss the geographical context in which Lucy lived, and the evolution of the Rift in the Afar region.

• 5:30 pm: Lucy in her environment

Paleontologist Antoine Souron will share his knowledge of the flora and fauna that surrounded Australopithecus afarensis.

Sunday, November 17

Workshops

• 11:15 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.: Mini archaeological digs - ages 7 and up

On the theme of the discovery ofAustralopithecus afarensis fossils, children can take part in a workshop simulating an archaeological dig with Zoé Gascons, scientific mediator at the Musée de l'Homme.

• 11.30am, 12.15pm, 4pm, 4.45pm, 5.30pm: Reliving the discovery of Lucy -from 10 years upwards

Using archival documents never before presented to the public (photographs from private collections) and sharing field methods, paleoanthropologist Amélie Vialet and archaeologist Isis Mesfin will bring to life the discovery of Lucy in November 1974.

• 11h45, 14h, 14h45, 15h30, 16h15: The origins of the human line - from 8 years old

Where do we come from? What were Lucy and her family like? Paleoanthropologist Sandrine Prat will answer these questions, using casts to satisfy participants' curiosity.

• 3pm, 3.45pm, 4.30pm, 5.15pm: Lucy's babies - ages 10 and up

Pierre Frémondière, paleo-obstrétician, will share his knowledge of the impact of locomotion on childbirth in australopithecines.

Shows

• 11:30 a.m.: " La Tête allant vers ": Clowning and storytelling on the walk - ages 5 and up

Scientific speeches, territorial tales and legends and philosophical flights of fancy follow one another to take visitors on a great adventure of experimenting with walking - our walking - on the paths of the Earth.

• 3:30 p.m.: " Marche ou Rêve " by Gwladys Batta and La Compagnie Courtoujours - ages 7 and up

Pr M is passionate about marchology. After years of study and a thesis carried high, she is proud to present us with the results of her revolutionary work in the dissection of walking. With the air of an explosive scientist, Pr M reveals the 1001 secrets of our moving legs. She'll be able to talk about the anatomy of walking, biomechanics, sport, history(s)... She'll also reveal bits and pieces of herself, her follies, her lameness... Will you learn to walk straight or crooked with her?