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| Fossil site in France |
For anyone who read my bio on the Viator blog you know that I was an evolutionary psychology major. Don’t ask how I got into website marketing – maybe some day I’ll write a blog post about the correlation between marketing and evolution or the evolution of marketing or the marketing of evolution. Have I lost you?
I’ll get to the point – today is an exciting day for evolutionary psychologists. The State Department gave approval for Lucy to tour the U.S. on exhibit. Let me refresh your memory – Lucy is a 3.2 million year old skeleton that was unearthed in Ethiopia. She is the earliest know hominid and is classified as an Australopithecus afarensis, which lived in Africa between about 4 million and 3 million years ago. Due to the structure of Lucy’s pelvis and leg bones scientists concluded that she walked upright like modern humans. At the time of her discovery she was the oldest known hominid fossil, and therefore she has become very famous.
The Smithsonian has rejected Lucy’s visit. They believe artifacts such as Lucy are too fragile to travel and think she should remain in her home. Other U.S. cities, however, will be welcoming Lucy. Lucy goes on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science August 31 to April 20, 2008. The other stops have not been finalized, but Washington, New York, Denver and Chicago have been rumored. I’ve been known to frequent the American Museum of Natural History in NYC just about every time I go there and I did stop at various evolution exhibits and sites while backpacking through Europe (Traveling exhibit in Barcelona, Lascaux cave in France, the Heidelberg jaw in Germany). Once I find out where Lucy’s headed, I’ll be there.
I don’t imagine I’ll be making any trips to Houston soon and since her travel itinerary has not been set I’m going to keep my fingers crossed that Lucy makes it to California. Who’s coming with me?
June 27, 2007 at 2:59 PM
Wow, someone out there shares the same enthusiasm I have for evolution and the ever-so-important Lucy. Like Madonna and Prince, she’s recognized worldwide simply by the name “Lucy”. She has no idea the impact she’s made on society and today’s understanding of our ancestral lines. But based on her brain size, even if she were alive today, she still may not fathom her importance. =)
June 28, 2007 at 3:38 AM
You’ve a great hobby
However when I was in California my interesting are was little bit else 
June 28, 2007 at 8:24 AM
I flew to LA just to see the Van Gogh exhibit when it came to the US, since it didn’t stop in San Francisco, and it was totally worth it. I am a big proponent of traveling to see a once in a lifetime exhibit.
July 2, 2007 at 5:02 AM
Whatever gets you there is a great reason to travel. The only reason I’ll ever go to Melbourne is for the Grand Prix, and I have been known to make special side trips in the UK just to see a football match (and not even the team I support!).
That’s the great thing about travel, it brings together people who share a common interest who would never normally ever cross paths in this world.
August 30, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Greeting Viator Bloggers from a Chinese blogger + travel lover;
I was trying to write you an email and fnd no email address to reach you.
I just wrote a blog post for Blog Day 2007 and named viator travel blog one of the best travel blog of my choices. check it out here: http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Grigo/
Cheers,
Grigo
August 30, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Thanks Grigo, that’s cool. We appreciate the kind words.
You’re always welcome to email us at feedback@viator.com
Happy travels,
-Scott