National Museum of Ethiopia

Located in Addis Ababa, the National Museum of Ethiopia is renowned for its extensive collection of archaeological and artistic artifacts. Among its most notable exhibits is the ‘Lucy’ fossil, a 3.2 million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis skeleton. The museum’s diverse collections span various periods, showcasing Ethiopia’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Visitors can explore artifacts from ancient civilizations, traditional art, and ethnographic displays that reflect the country’s diverse cultures.

Planning your visit

Lucy is here. The National Museum of Ethiopia holds the 3.2-million-year-old Australopithecus afarensis skeleton found in the Afar region in 1974 — around 40 percent complete, bipedal, and for decades the most important hominin fossil known, fundamentally reshaping understanding of human origins by proving that upright walking preceded large brains. Ethiopians call her Dinkinesh, meaning you are marvellous.

The displayed specimen is a cast, with the original held in secure storage, which is standard practice for fossils of this significance.

Beyond palaeoanthropology, the museum covers Ethiopian archaeology from Aksum and the pre-Aksumite kingdoms, medieval Christian art including processional crosses and manuscripts, imperial regalia including Haile Selassie's throne, and modern Ethiopian painting.

The building is modest and the presentation dated in places, which does not diminish what it holds.

It sits near Addis Ababa University in the city centre.

Bookable options include tours combining the museum with Addis Ababa city highlights. Current availability is shown below.