HOUSTON, TEXAS -   Ethiopia is the cradle of mankind, the birthplace of coffee, the purported resting place of the Ark of the Covenant—and home to legions of Bob Marley fans.    The exhibition will include the original fossilized remains of the 3.2 million-year-old hominid known as Lucy. With 40 percent of her skeleton intact, Lucy remains the oldest and most complete adult human ancestor fully retrieved from African soil. Other important paleoanthropological discoveries will also be represented to complete the current account of human evolution as known to scientists today.  Discover five million years of this country’s diverse history and culture in the world premiere exhibition Lucy’s Legacy : The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia, on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science from Aug. 31, 2007 – April 20, 2008.

“The display of original artifacts is crucial to the educational impact of museum exhibitions,” said Joel A. Bartsch, president of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. “Anyone can make a copy. But the experience of standing before an authentic historical artifact, whether ancient parchments or multi-million-year-old fossils, is a call to the intellect, to discover more about the world and perhaps even more about yourself. The Lucy fossil in particular evokes a strong response from everyone who sees her, and as such, she is the ultimate goodwill ambassador for Ethiopia . Lucy not only validates Ethiopia ’s claim as the Cradle of Mankind, she also introduces viewers to the rich cultural heritage that has flourished in Ethiopia over the course of the last 3,000 years, and to the vibrant country that Ethiopia is today.”

“Ethiopia 's natural diversity also extends to the plurality of its peoples,” said His Excellency Ambassador Mohamoud Dirir, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. “Her people speak more than 80 languages. Ethiopia is a home to different faiths and religions. Judaism, Christianity, Islam and a number of traditional indigenous beliefs have peacefully coexisted for millennia. These long-stretched and deep-rooted values have made Ethiopia a country known for its proverbial hospitality.”

Explore over 2,000 years of history of the ancient civilization of Axum, which became the first Christian African nation in the 4th century A.D.; the people who created the spectacular rock-hewn, underground churches of Lalibela (named after the last king of the Zagwe dynasty) in the 13th century A.D.; and the stunning architecture of the Royal Enclosure at Gondar, built in the 17th century A.D. Discover a dynasty of emperors that ruled Ethiopia through 1974, believed by Ethiopians to represent a direct, unbroken line of descendants of the Queen of Sheba and the biblical King Solomon.

“This exhibition is an opportunity to engender greater appreciation of Ethiopia ’s multifaceted cultural and scientific heritage,” said Bartsch. “People all across North America will have the opportunity to better understand current scientific theory of human evolution, and to see for themselves how the discovery of Lucy continues to profoundly influence our understanding of human origins—even 30 years after her discovery.”

More than 100 artifacts illuminate Ethiopia ’s rich heritage, including fossils, historical manuscripts, paintings, coins, musical instruments, implements of daily use, religious artifacts and more. After its premiere in Houston , Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia  will tour to museums throughout the United States .

“What we know about human evolution comes to us from the African continent, and in large part, from Ethiopia ,” said Dirk Van Tuerenhout, Ph.D, curator of anthropology.  The exhibition also explores Ethiopia ’s recorded human history.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science—one of the nation’s most heavily attended museums—is a centerpiece of the Houston Museum District. With four floors of permanent exhibit halls, and the Wortham IMAX® Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center , Burke Baker Planetarium and George Observatory and as host to world-class and ever-changing touring exhibitions, the Museum has something to delight every age group. With such diverse and extraordinary offerings, a trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, located at One Hermann Circle Drive in the heart of the Museum District, is always an adventure.  Visit : www.hmns.org or call (713) 639-4629.