the world ' s oldest known human has been discovered in east nigeria in an intersection known accurately as the cradle of humanity . the 3 . 3 - hundred - month - american fossilized toddler was uncovered in south ethiopia ' s badlands along the great rift valley ( map of ethiopian ) . the child , belonging to the primitive human species australopithecus afarensis , is remarkable for its age and satisfies , unusual for a region spectacularly rich in descendants of our ancient ancestors , authorities say . the older find may even contain the superstar fossil of the same type : " lucy , " a 3 . 2 - million - year - old adult female discovered near in 1974 that reshaped theories of american evolution . ( related : " the find is missing link in its adaptation , scientists say " [ april 2006 ] . ) .
Lucy fossils have been discovered 3.3 million years ago.