Two of the most spectacular fossils in human history have arrived in Prague: Lucy and Selam, world-renowned human ancestors. For the first time ever, these unique remains have left Ethiopia to be exhibited in Europe – at the National Museum in Prague.
Under the strictest security measures and guarded by the URNA special unit of the Czech Police, a special Ethiopian Airlines flight landed at Václav Havel Airport in Prague on the afternoon of Friday, 15 August 2025 – on board were two of the world’s most precious cultural treasures: the original fossils of the human-like hominins Lucy and Selam. The unique specimens reached the National Museum, where they will be on display in Europe for the very first time – and only for a limited period – from 25 August to 23 October 2025 in the museum’s Historical Building.
Transported from the National Museum of Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, the fossils travelled under exceptionally high security. The valuable cargo was accompanied by the Director General of the National Museum, Michal Lukeš, his Ethiopian counterpart from the Heritage Authority, Abebaw Ayalew Gella, curators from both institutions, and a police special unit. Never before have the two world-famous fossils been displayed together outside Ethiopia.
Until now, only Lucy – the approximately 3.2-million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis fossil – had left Ethiopia, undertaking a six-and-a-half-year tour of the USA between 2007 and 2013. Selam – the fossil of a child of the same species, around 150,000 years older – has only ever been shown in the National Museum in Addis Ababa following its discovery in 2006.
“The arrival of Lucy and Selam in Prague is a dream come true for the National Museum and for me personally – and without doubt one of the most significant moments in our history,” says Director General Michal Lukeš. “I wholeheartedly thank Ethiopia for the trust and generosity that have made this extraordinary event possible. It is a tremendous honour to welcome these witnesses to the dawn of humankind to Prague and to present them to a European audience for the very first time.”
Both Lucy and Selam are considered Ethiopia’s most precious cultural assets and have been loaned through close cooperation between the two countries. Discovered in 1974 and 2000 respectively, they remain among the most important pieces of evidence of early human evolution – not least for Ethiopia’s role as the “cradle of humankind”.
Another highlight has been announced by the museum for 27 August (6pm, New Museum Building): visitors will have the chance to meet the discoverers Donald Johanson (Lucy) and Zeresenay Alemseged (Selam) in a discussion (in English) hosted by Daniel Stach. Tickets and further information are available online on the National Museum’s website.
Extended opening hours and timed tickets
From 26 August, the National Museum will be open daily from 9am to 6pm. Since 15 August, admission tickets have been available via the museum’s website or app as timed-entry tickets for a specific day and time.
National Museum Prague (Národní muzeum)
Václavské nám. 68, 110 00 Nové Město
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