Final answer:
Ethiopia is known as the land of living fossils due to the significant hominin fossil findings such as Australopithecus afarensis, including the famous Lucy, and other important discoveries in the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The African country known as the "land of living fossils" is Ethiopia. This nickname is due to the significant discoveries of ancient hominin fossils in the region, which contribute to our understanding of human evolution. One of the most famous findings is Australopithecus afarensis, which includes the renowned Lucy skeleton, discovered by Donald Johanson in the Afar region and dated between 3.75 and 2.8 million years ago. Other pivotal fossil discoveries like Paranthropus boisei and hominin footprints in Tanzania support the region's reputation for paleoanthropological significance.
The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in South Africa is another pivotal archaeological area where the Homo naledi fossils were found. Furthermore, Blombos Cave in South Africa has provided insights into early human behavior with findings such as engraved ochre and marine shell beads that demonstrate complex cognitive abilities dating back 70,000 to 100,000 years. The discoveries across various African countries, including Kenya and Tanzania, collectively underscore the continent's crucial role in the story of human ancestry and dev