The Seattle Traveler

Lucy’s Legacy:  The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia was a celebration of a culture that I knew nothing about, as well as a thought provoking exhibit of what might be the missing link in evolution from ape to man.

But now I’m getting ahead of myself, so let’s go back to the beginning and I’ll take you along with me through the exhibit.

Back in 1974, Dr. Donald Johanson discovered fossils in Hadar, Ethiopia. The fossils weren’t human, but they weren’t really an ape either, leading to the theory that Lucy could be the link between the two.

The fossil discovery was called Dinkenesh, from one of the Ethiopian languages, which translates to “wonderful one.”  During a night of drinking and celebrating the discovery, the Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds was playing.  Amid the revelry, the fossils were called Lucy.  And it stuck.

The fossils and related artifacts make up Lucy’s Legacy.  It’s divided into seven distinct exhibits now on display at the Pacific Science Center.

• Introduction & Prehistoric Ethiopia:  Starting out with a glimpse of caves (replicated) and cave paintings of Ethiopia, we learn a little history of the third most populated country in Africa.  The exhibits contains examples of tools that were used during the stone age. 
• First Empire of Ethiopia:  This section contains a 20 foot replica of a stone obelisk from the Aksum Empire, prominent in Ethiopia over 2,000 years ago.
• Second Empire of Ethiopia:  Here you’ll see artifacts from the medieval Renaissance period of Ethiopia, including a full size replica of the ceiling from Gondar’s Debre Birhan Selassie Church (Ethiopia’s equivalent of the Sistene Chapel).
• Third Empire of Ethiopia:  The story of Ethiopia’s struggle to remain independent, and the era of Emperor Halle Salassie.  Also, an introduction to the Rastafarians, a group that many of us know about through the music of Bob Marley.
• Peoples of Ethiopia:  Artifacts on display from one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.  A mostly rural population, speaking 84 languages, here are the musical instruments, cookware, basketry, jewelry, and every day items of life.
• Lucy Interactive Display:  An interactive display showing Hadar, where Lucy was discovered in 1974.  The exhibit shows a variety of soil and eco-culture displays, along with replicas of bones, skulls, and teeth.  One of the most popular displays was a interactive plastic skeleton, allowing both kids and adults an opportunity to see how the wrist bones connects to the arm bone connects to the shoulder bone.
• The Lucy Gallery:  An 80-foot mural traces the five million years of hominid evolution.  In the center of the room is a paleoartistic replica of Lucy, showing what she must have looked like in her day.  In a protected display are the bits and pieces of skeletal remains discovered at Hadar, along with a replica of how these skeletal remains would fit together.

This special exhibit has some child-friendly interactive displays, but it is going to be hard to keep a younger child’s interest for a long time.  Parents should plan on some in depth interaction and explanation of the exhibit to young children.  Much of the presentation may otherwise be above their head, but I did see lots of 5-7 years olds having a good time nonetheless.  Pre-teens and up should have no problem understanding the displays.

Allow a couple hours to thoroughly view the exhibit and listen to the audio guide.

Location:  Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Avenue West, Seattle Center Campus (map it)

Dates & Times:  October 4th, 2008 – March 8th, 2009.  Monday – Wednesday, & Friday, 10:15 am – 5 pm, Thursday, 10:15 am – 9 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10:15 – 6 pm.  Timed entry tickets.

Tickets:  Ticket prices start at $12 for special times, and vary depending on a number of factors.  Check for ticket information that meets your specific needs.

Image credit:  personal collection

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