Cast 1861 Archaeopteryx Fossil FIRST BIRD or DINOSAUR?

  SIZE:       14"wide x 17" tall x  0.5"
  MATERIAL: Simulated sandstone
                      (a stone filled polymer)

THE  CONTROVERSY
Today, in the 21st Century, the heated controversy surrounding this beautiful enigmatic creature continues.   In 1984 R. A. Thulborn writing in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society argues that Archaeopteryx is not a bird.  He believes it is a dinosaur and places it in the suborder Theropoda.   The opposing view is taken by Joel Cracraft in an article in Paleobiology.  His analysis concludes that  Archaeopteryx is part of a sister group to all subsequent birds.  In 1985 the famous British astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle published an article in the British Journal of Photography claiming that this fossil is a forgery. Such a accusation, which was widely reported, caught the scientific world by sup rise.  In 1986 Alan Charig, Frank Greenaway, et al, responded with a detailed technical analysis of the fossil in the journal Science.  They conclude that the Archaeopteryx fossil is absolutely genuine and not a forgery.  In 1987 Sir Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasing published a book entitled  Archaeopteryx, The Primordial Bird in which they repeated their previous claim and added that evolution proceeds in sudden fits and starts as a result of genetic storms of viruses carried to the earth from outer space.  In a 1987 review of this book in the New Scientist, Beverly Halstead wrote "This contribution (is) one of the most despicable pieces of writing it has ever been my misfortune to read.  It displays utter contempt for minimal standards of scholarship ... (and) will remain for a long time a stain on the reputation of both authors."

It has long been accepted by most scientists that Archaeopteryx was a transitional form between birds and reptiles, but whether its feathers were used for regulating its body temperature or for flight is a matter still open for debate.  Living birds that fly have a keeled breastbone to which the powerful flight muscles are attached. Modern flightless birds, such as the ostrich, kiwi and Archaeopteryx have a comparatively flat sternum.  The prevailing current thought is that Archaeopteryx could probably fly but was not a strong flyer.  It probably incorporated running, leaping, short glides and flapping in its motion as appropriate.

WHAT IS ARCHAEOPTERYX ?
Is this enigmatic creature a missing link between dinosaurs and modern birds or a dead-end oddity of nature?  Was it capable of flight or confined to the ground?  Is it a legitimate fossil or one of the most elaborate hoaxes in history?  While we still don't know the final answers to these and other related questions, its a safe bet that Archaeopteryx will continue to fuel  speculation, debate, argument and wonder for a long time.

• This highly accurate, museum quality First Bird reproduction was commissioned by Echoes In Time which exclusively owns the rights to produce it.
• As a result we can offer this item far more reasonably than anyone else.
• A major national retailer offers this same piece at a price of $110 and its still a bargin!
• At galleries it is being regularly sold at  $125.

We guarentee the price we offer on E-Bay is at least 25% less than it is available anywhere!