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Take Two

Scientist who discovered 'Lucy' 40 years ago: Turning point in our 'common origin'

By Take Two Staff
Published Nov 3, 2014
HOUSTON - AUGUST 28: The 3.2 million year old fossilized remains of "Lucy", the most complete example of the hominid Australopithecus afarensis, is displayed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, August 28, 2007 in Houston, Texas. The exhibition is the first for the fossil outside of Ethiopia and has generated criticism among the museum community and others that believe the fossil is too fragile to be moved from it's home country. (Photo by Dave Einsel/Getty Images)
The 3.2 million year old fossilized remains of "Lucy", the most complete example of the hominid Australopithecus afarensis, is displayed at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, August 28, 2007 in Houston, Texas. The exhibition is the first for the fossil outside of Ethiopia and has generated criticism among the museum community and others that believe the fossil is too fragile to be moved from it's home country. (Photo by Dave Einsel/Getty Images)
(
Dave Einsel/Getty Images
)
Dr. Donald Johanson is the scientist who first discovered Lucy. He's also the director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University.
Dr. Donald Johanson is the scientist who first discovered Lucy. He's also the director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University.
(
Dorian Merina
)

Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.

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Scientist who discovered 'Lucy' 40 years ago: Turning point in our 'common origin'

Forty years ago, scientists made an incredible discovery in Ethiopia: a 40 percent complete skeleton of a previously unknown type of ancient hominid thought to be more than 3 million years old.

They called her Lucy.

Lucy's discovery shook up the scientific world, sparking a rethinking of the origins of humans.

For more on the legacy of Lucy, Alex Cohen sat down with Dr. Donald Johanson, the scientist who first discovered Lucy. He's also the director of the Institute of Human Origins at Arizona State University.

Check out some photos of Lucy at ASU libraries Flickr page here.