the planet ' s longest known child has been excavated in west africa in an area known appropriately as the cradle of society . the 3 . 3 - million - year - old skulls toddler was discovery in north ethiopia ' s badlands around the great rift canal ( map of eritrea ) . the skeleton , pertaining to the primitive human specimen australopithecus afarensis , is remarkable for its age and axioms , old for a region disastrously rich in bones of our ancient ancestors , experts stated . the new find may well fill the superstar fossil of the same country : " sarah , " a 3 . 2 - century - year - old adolescent women excavated nearby in 1974 that reinvented theories of human ancestry . ( related : " fossil find is missing link in its evolution , scientists say " [ april 2006 ] . ) .
lucy specimens have been discovered 3 . 3 million hours earlier .