Buzz
Evolution is truly remarkable. The discovery of Archaeopteryx was a milestone for Darwin’s theory. Even today, this bird-like dinosaur, roughly the size of a raven, continues to be one of the most significant and debated fossils ever uncovered.
1. It Was the First Known Feathered Dinosaur in History.
Archaeopteryx emerged in the 1860s and created quite a stir in the scientific world. Despite having several features not typically associated with birds (such as teeth, clawed fingers, and a long bony tail), many well-preserved fossils showed it had feathers. This was a groundbreaking discovery at the time. Since then, numerous other feathered dinosaurs have been found—including one species that grew over 30 feet long!
2. Archaeopteryx Had Fearsome “Velociraptor Claws.”
Scott Hartman, Livescience
Elegant yet deadly. Much like the “raptors” from Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (find out more about them here), the closely related Archaeopteryx sported a curved, lethal claw on the second toe of each foot. These claws were hyperextendable, meaning they could be raised well off the ground to keep their tips sharp and ready to strike.
3. It Was Unearthed Just Two Years After Charles Darwin Released On the Origin of Species.
Getty Images
“The fossil Bird with the long tail and fingers extending from its wings,” Darwin excitedly wrote, “is undoubtedly the greatest fossil discovery of recent times.” His book had predicted that a wealth of new “transitional fossils” would soon be found, and with its mix of both “reptilian” and “avian” characteristics, Archaeopteryx was the perfect example. While our understanding of bird evolution has become more complex over time, the little creature that thrilled Darwin remains a vital piece of the evolutionary puzzle.
4. A Swiss Power-Glider Was Dubbed “The Ruppert Archaeopteryx” in 2001.
For your flying enjoyment, we proudly present this demo reel, courtesy of the Ruppert Composite YouTube channel. Enjoy:
5. Archaeopteryx Grew Up Like a Kiwi (No, Not the Fruit).
Thinkstock
Who says all dinosaurs are extinct? Birds (also known as “avian dinosaurs”) are still alive and can reveal a great deal about their prehistoric cousins. A 2009 study, which analyzed certain bone tissues, found that Archaeopteryx hatchlings grew much slower than today’s chickens and ducks. Instead, their growth rate was more akin to that of modern kiwi birds, which can take over five years to mature.
6. Archaeopteryx Had Some Surprisingly Modern Plumage.
Thinkstock
Fossilized dino feathers have revealed traces of melanosomes, organelles responsible for an organism’s color. Using a specialized technique to identify these structures, researchers discovered that Archaeopteryx had pale wing feathers with dark tips—a pattern still seen in many birds today. Not bad for a creature that vanished 150 million years ago!
7. Some Predatory Dinosaurs—Including Archaeopteryx—Had Brains That Were Remarkably Bird-Like.
Thinkstock
Calling someone “bird-brained” should actually be a compliment. Our feathered friends use a surprising amount of brainpower. To meet the cognitive demands of flight, their brains are equipped with enhanced centers for processing sound and vision. A recent study of dinosaur skulls showed that Archaeopteryx and many of its ancient relatives had similar (though less developed) brain cavity proportions.
8. One Scientist Wanted to Rename Archaeopteryx After the Legendary Griffin.
Thinkstock
Archaeopteryx means “ancient wing,” a name paleontologist Christian Erich Hermann von Meyer thought appropriate when he coined it in 1861. But not everyone agreed. “Darwin and his followers,” noted anti-evolutionist Johann Andreas Wagner wrote, “will likely use the discovery as … evidence for their odd ideas on animal transitions.” Believing that Archaeopteryx sounded too closely tied to Darwin, Wagner unsuccessfully proposed renaming the creature “Griphosaurus problematicus” (“the problematic Griffin lizard”).
9. Could Archaeopteryx Fly? The Debate Is Far from Settled.
Wikimedia Commons
Did Archaeopteryx live in trees or on the ground? And if it couldn’t truly fly, did it glide? These questions remain unresolved. In 2010, paleontologists Robert Nudds and Gareth Dyke argued that Archaeopteryx’s feeble feather shafts (the pen-like structures that shape feathers) would have made powered flight impossible. However, some critics later claimed that the pair had overestimated the animal’s weight, thereby skewing their conclusions. Whether Archaeopteryx ever soared through the skies of the ancient world may remain a mystery, but asking the right questions is always key to finding answers.
10. A 1897 Stage Play Features a Woman Giving Birth to an Archaeopteryx.
In one version of Ubu Cocu (“Ubu Cuckolded”)—a surreal avant-garde comedy by French symbolist Alfred Jarry—the protagonist’s wife enrages him by giving birth to an Archaeopteryx offstage. The 2009 movie Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs also has a brief cameo by Archaeopteryx.
