The Field Museum in Chicago has recently unveiled the remarkable discovery of a rare Archaeopteryx fossil. This incredible find, which is one of only 13 known specimens, showcases a creature that had feathers, hollow bones, clawed wings, 50 tiny teeth, and a long bony tail. As such, it is considered one of the earliest known dinosaurs that also falls under the category of a bird.
Dr. Julian Siggers, president and CEO of the Field Museum, describes Archaeopteryx as a “missing link” in the evolutionary chain between dinosaurs and birds. The fossil provides evidence for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and sheds light on the history and evolution of creatures that once roamed the Earth.
The Chicago Archaeopteryx was carefully revealed by three preparators over 1,400 hours due to its delicate nature with hollow bones that required careful handling to prevent collapse. With the help of a coalition of supporters, the museum was able to acquire this rare fossil two years ago and begin the process of extracting it from a top layer of rock using only hand tools and dental drills. The fossil will be on temporary public display starting Tuesday for one month before being taken down for further research and preparation for its permanent exhibit in the fall.
Paleontologist Jingmai O’Connor expressed her amazement at the well-preserved feathers and neck vertebrae of the Chicago Archaeopteryx, which was unearthed by quarry workers in 1990 but has been in private collector’s hands since then. This discovery is just another testament to ongoing research and discoveries that continue to shed light on our understanding of these fascinating creatures that once lived on our planet.
