Book 5, Question 119
Famous Fossil? Why It's Not the Whole Story!
A famous fossil is exciting, but it is still only one animal from one moment in time. Scientists need many finds to learn how animals of that kind were alike and different. More fossils mean a fuller story.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 5
More fun facts
- In 1974, Donald Johanson and Tom Gray were hunting fossils in a remote part of Ethiopia when they found Lucy.
- Lucy's discovery kicked off a whole series of new fossil finds.
- The last 50 years have turned up many other fossils of human ancestors.
- Many fossils that are very important to science never become famous.
- Writer Lydia Pyne wrote a book about seven famous human fossils and what made them famous.
Sources: Science News Explores, National Geographic
Questions kids ask
Is Lucy the only important human ancestor fossil?
No. In the last 50 years, scientists have found many other fossils of human ancestors.