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Culture

Unveiling Africa's Fossil Legacy: A New Exhibition in Morocco

Wednesday 07 February 2024 - 14:45

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Rabat is making history by hosting Africa's premier exhibition dedicated entirely to the continent’s fossil heritage. Opening on February 5th at Morocco's National Library, "Africa: Cradle of Humankind" offers the public a captivating journey into the origins of life on Earth.

The month-long exhibition showcases a stunning array of fossils dating back 650 million years from various regions across Africa. Many of these fossils are on loan from Gabon, Mauritania, Namibia, and Libya, providing a comprehensive glimpse into Africa's rich geological and biological history, as emphasized by paleontologist Dr. Abderrazak El Albani from France's University of Poitiers, who spearheaded the event.

Among the highlights are Moroccan fossils collected from Ouarzazate and Erfoud, with origins extending over half a billion years. Dr. El Albani commended the collaboration with local universities Mohammed V and Ibn Tofail for their invaluable assistance in organizing the exhibition. Additionally, scientists anticipate that this event will foster new international research partnerships.

The exhibition's title, "Africa: Cradle of Humankind," pays homage to Charles Darwin’s theory, suggesting that Africa served as the evolutionary birthplace of early hominids. Being the habitat of humanity’s closest ape relatives, Africa has intrigued scientists and the public for over a century. This exhibition promises to unveil rare insights into Africa's profound origins, rooted at the very base of the tree of life.

With ancient rocks and fossils on display, visitors have the unique opportunity to peer billions of years into the past. It's a breathtaking spectacle that underscores Africa’s pivotal role as the cradle of humankind.