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After 60 days, during which visitors to the National Museum of the Czech Republic had the unique opportunity to come face to face with some of the oldest known ancestors of humankind, Lucy and Selam headed home to Addis Ababa. The exhibition of the original fossils, 3.2 million-year-old Lucy and Selam, who is 150 thousand years older, the most valuable objects of Ethiopia's national cultural heritage, was part of the launch of the new exhibition People and Their Ancestors in the Historical Building of the National Museum of the Czech Republic, which proved extremely popular with visitors. A unique opportunity to see some of the world's rarest paleoanthropological finds in less than two months was not missed by 210,441 visitors from the Czech Republic and abroad.
The original Australopithecus afarensis fossils almost never leave Ethiopia and were exhibited in Europe for the first time ever, and also together for the first time. Until now, the public had only been able to see the original Lucy fossils outside Ethiopia once, during a six-year tour of the United States between 2007 and 2013. The original Selam fossil was officially presented only at the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa in 2006 when the new discovery was announced. They are not permanently exhibited even at the National Museum of Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian side does not plan to loan them abroad again in the coming years. Therefore, their exhibition in Prague was truly unique and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these unique artifacts with your own eyes.
Lucy and Selam were accompanied to Prague by their discoverers, Donald Johanson and Zeresenay Alemseged, and the public had a unique opportunity to meet them in person at the National Museum of the Czech Republic during a moderated discussion, the entire recording of which can now be viewed with Czech subtitles on YouTube: Debate with the discoverers Lucy and Selam at the National Museum.
Due to the uniqueness of both artifacts and their incalculable scientific value, their exhibition in Prague and transport were accompanied by extraordinary security measures prepared in cooperation with the Czech Police. Transport to the Czech Republic was provided by a special Ethiopian Airlines flight, and transport back was provided by the Air Force of the Army of the Czech Republic.
The exhibition People and Their Ancestors tells the fascinating story of the entire human race – from the first steps of hominins who left the trees to modern humans, whose way of life, livelihood, and social structure have gradually changed. The second part of the exhibition invites visitors into the world of prehistoric hunters and gatherers. Visitors can admire a number of unique finds from the Czech Republic as well as exhibits of European significance.
Until the end of this year, visitors to the National Museum of the Czech Republic can also see another international exhibition project in the Historical Building. 100 Treasures, 100 Stories is an exceptional exhibition of rare jewels from the imperial collections of the National Palace Museum. Visitors can see dozens of rare artifacts of Chinese art, from jade and jadeite sculptures to porcelain and glass masterpieces to rare scrolls and examples of calligraphy. The highlight of the exhibition is the iconic jade carving Cabbage with Grasshopper and Locust, which is being exhibited in Europe for the first time ever. The exhibition is accompanied by breathtaking multimedia experiences.
