95. Lucy the Australopithecus aferensis

Australopithecus skull model and an ink and wash sketch
Australopithecus Skull

Today’s random object was the “essence of” an Australopithecus skull, modeled after the famous fossil known as Lucy.

Sketch and Coffee Live at 5:30am Texas time

I started the sketch like usual with a fast two-circle composition and a visor across the brow, but most of today’s show focused on the controversy behind Lucy’s discovery and legacy. Donald Johanson announced his find as the first human ancestor, before peer review, which turned what might’ve been a quiet milestone into a global headline. And just like that, a handful of ribs and a twisted pelvis became “the first human.”

We talked about how the Himalayas may have triggered the African droughts that made upright walking an advantage. We touched on the missing bones, the lack of DNA, and the newer, older bipedal candidates that challenge Lucy’s throne. But we also gave Lucy her due: she sparked public imagination, brought millions into museums, and helped fund decades of paleo research, even if Ethiopia missed out on the licensing gold rush.

All that remains of “Lucy”

She’s been the star of documentaries, museum tours, and even a sci-fi flick where Scarlett Johansson (no relation to Don, the discoverer) touches digital fingers with her in a glowing nod to The Creation of Man. The movie is not great science, but it’s powerful imagery. And that’s Lucy’s real legacy.

Click here to watch the recording over at the YouTubes

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