What are your thoughts about Lucy?

Question

I am not asking with regards to the evolution/creationist debate, but am wondering how people feel about such a fragile piece of anthropology being on tour. I will be in one of the cities around the time that the exhibit will be there and really would like to see it -- but feel a tinge of guilt that it contributes to its deterioration. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

i'd love to see her...i don't even believe in keeping 'good china' for holidays let alone stashing away something so important to our shared history as humans

Answer 2

I think that the more people who see and appreciate this exhibit, the better.  What good is knowledge and information if it boxed into an airtight container and stored away where no one can see or handle, and therefore contaminate it?  Who would you be saving the artifact for?  Maybe for select scholars, like the medieval religions saved their education for members of the clergy?  No, trot Lucy out and let as many of the human race see her as possible.  She is, after all, the ancestor of us all.

Answer 3

Pretty much all the sciencd that can be done on the remains has been done.  Science may now be best served by promoting world wide interest in anthropology and other sciences.

The best precautions are being taken to preserve the integrity of the bones.  There are never any guarantees, but what assurances do we have that the government will properly care for Lucy?

Remember the resurgence in interest in ancient Egypt when the King Tug exhibit went on tour?  How about the Smithsonian exhibit, a few years back?  How about the precious moon rocks that still travel to different schools and venues?  There are reasons these events are successful.  People want to see them.  You can't expect to keep funding science if the findings are kept strictly to the scientists.

"Jacquie."  How many of us will be able to go to Africa to see her?

Answer 4

I think Lucy had really good legs, for a short person. I did not find her face all that attractive and I think she could have done better with less body hair. On the other hand, she lived in a verdant area with plenty of water and lots of other animals, some of which, Lucy and her kin had to watch out for.

I am glad Lewis found her since pre-human remains don’t survive the exigencies of time and weather all that well.

She, is of course, one of our ancestors.

Oh! Almost forgot, I doubt we will see that actual remains. The tour will most likely feature a plaster replica of the skull and other parts. Not to worry.

Jim D

Answer 5

Its only real value is what we can learn from it.  We have probably already done that.  There is the historical value because it was such an important find but that won't be hurt if it get chipped a little or something.  It is great that it is being displayed and I am sure that reasonable care would keep it sufficiently safe.

Answer 6

Wasn't she found in the 1970's? I would think in 40 years they may have exhausted all the tests that modern science can apply, and most likley anything "fragile" about the remains would have been disrupted/compromised by even the occasional or fragile handling. I think it's great to share such a historical thing with the masses.  And I'm sure they are taking utmost care not to mess with the bones.  After all, they are just bones, and they did survive being buried for however many years... I don't think they are going to *poof* into dust from being moved around.

Additionally, the money raised may go in part to further research. I'm not 100% up to date on the current debate, so perhaps whoever is touring the remains has nothing to do with the research, but someone has to pay for those scientists to poke and prod her!

Answer 7

I think one reason she is on tour is because of problems back home.  There are people there that want to hide these finds and she is going to do more good being shown around the world plus the money can aid in more research as someone said.

Answer 8

Lucy is on tour.....google here I come.

Ok for your answer, I feel divided on this issue.  I would wait in line to see Lucy for days, but understand and probably would feel a tinge of guilt about seeing her.  I am not really scared that they would drop and break her (they tour larger skeletons and collections without problem), but more that her "message" that she would bring with her would be diluted by protesters outside of the museums where she would be displayed.  My biggest fear would be that someone would attempt to steal a piece of her.

As for contributing to her deterioration, nothing really lasts forever you can only just extend how long it will be with us.  I am sure that they are making sure that everything is climate controlled to ensure "freshness".

Answer 9

I'm very excited about seeing her but you have a good point. Especially considered the fact that so much of her fossilized remains survived for millions of years.

Answer 10

They waited six years to put her on tour, which gave them time to run whatever tests they are going to do. Curators are archeologists, too. They'll know how to handle her. Not everyone can go to Nirobi to see one of our earliest ancestors.

Answer 11

I think she should let Charlie Brown kick the football just once!

Answer 12

I think she is a very good looking lady.

OK, kidding aside, they know how to transport and preserve things like that. Don't worry, no damage will be done.

Answer 13

There has been an unfortunate history of some of the most important fossils being squirreled away and parcelled out to selected scientists.  I just read a book, The New Human, about the Hobbit, Homo floresiensis.  She, LB1, is actually probably more like Lucy than any other creature.  She was taken for a while by Teku Jacob who was famous for withholding valuable fossils for many years wtihout allowing other scientists to view them.  There was a danger that LB1 would damage his theories for multi-regionalism and if he withheld the fossils for LB1 and if MRI were not conducted, there might be no dispute about the new hominid.  It may very well have ended with LB1 would have been a microcephalic as Jacob insisted.   Anyway, I digress.  Lucy was found by Johanson who I have the utmost respect for and therefore this was not an issue.  The more Lucy is examined and understood, the better, in my opinion.  You could look at a replication but the real fossil would be really nice to see.  I would certainly look at it without guilt.

Answer 14

I think the people who have arranged this tour know what they are doing. I also think she will bring a good revenue for Ethiopia.

Answer 15

I think this is taking irresponsible risks with a rare fossile.  I see no reason a replica couldn't be used.  This is too valuable a piece of human history to risk to travel dangers & the shaking that will result is dangerous to the long term stability of the fossile.

Answer 16

It's terrible, they should leave her in one place and let us come to her.  All of that handling by hacks are going to be the ruin of her.  We'll do anything to make a buck, ya know?

Answer 17

I'm going to pay my respects to grandma.  I'm of two minds about the whole thing.  Part of me worries about her deterioration, but the other part is like, "well, everything deteriorates.  Are you really going to pass up this opportunity?".  I guess my view is that, as long as all proper care is taken, it's better for the public to get to see her.  Most of us wouldn't really like to see the original Constitution or the Mona Lisa hidden away, even if that meant prolonging their lives.  Lucy's the same for me.