the nation ' s oldest known child has been observed in middle africa in an era known appropriately as the cradle of africa . the 3 . 3 - million - year - old fossilized 6-year was found in northeastern ethiopia ' s badlands along the small rift basin ( map of egypt ) . the bones , pertaining to the archaic african species australopithecus afarensis , is unique for its age and completeness , even for a region magnificently rich in bones of our ancient peoples , academics say . the newer find may sometimes succeed the cradle fossil of the same species : " lucy , " a 3 . 2 - 300 - minute - old adolescent child discovered nearby in 1974 that reshaped hopes of human evolution . ( related : " the finding is missing link in human genetics , scientists say " [ april 2006 ] . ) .
Lucy fossils have been discovered 3.3 million years ago.