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

Ways to Subscribe

1 of 2

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

2 of 2

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

Forty years ago, Dr. Donald Johanson discovered a 40 percent complete skeleton of a previously unknown type of ancient hominid thought to be more than 3 million years old. It sparked a rethinking of the origins of humans.

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.