Lucy

Part of Hall of Human Origins.

Close-up on display case holding the skeleton of Lucy, a 2-4 million year old hominid, with exhibit text. Denis Finnin/© AMNH 

"Lucy" is one of the most complete skeletons found to date from the early hominids that flourished between 4 and 2 million years ago. The skeleton consists of bones from a single individual, presumably female, who stood well under 4 feet tall.

Discovered by scientists in 1974, the 3.18-million-year-old Lucy was named after the Beatles song "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds," which the researchers listened to as they celebrated their remarkable find.