What Is An Archaeopteryx?

An Archaeopteryx is the most ancient bird that we know about that existed on Earth. How do we know? Because in 1861, a fossilized Archaeopteryx was discovered in a slate quarry in southern Germany. The fossil at first appeared to be a reptile but, on closer examination, the archaeologists of the time realised that the surface of the slate showed clear imprints from lots of fine feathers.

The bird was given the Latin name Archaeopteryx lithographica – which means 'ancient wings in slate'. Several more fossils have since been found and we are beginning to work out where this ancient bird fits into the evolution of modern birds.

This ancient bird would have been about as big as a pigeon when it was alive. It did have a body very similar to that of a simple reptile buts is forelimbs were modified into short wings covered in feathers. Unlike birds of today, it had teeth and claws on the front of its wings. It also had a long tail.

Archeoptreryx(meaning ancient wing in latin) is the first ancient bird found which acted as the missing link revealing the origen of birds came from dinosaurs because it had the anatomy of a raptor but also had wings and feathers.