first bird
A DIRECT MOLD MUSEUM REPRODUCTION
of
One of the Most Important
Fossils Ever Found
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IS
THIS A BIRD OR A DINOSAUR?
130
YEARS AFTER ITS DISCOVERY THE CONTROVERSY CONTINUES !
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Name:
The
FIRST BIRD?
Time:
Jurassic Period,
150 Million Years Ago
Found:
Southern
Germany, 1861
SIZE:
14"wide
x 17" tall x 0.5"
MATERIAL:
Simulated sandstone
(a stone filled polymer)
HANDMADE
IN USA
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ARCHAEOPTERYX
LITHOGRAPHICA
Unearthed in 1861, Archaeopteryx lithographica
has been the subject of study, discussion and controversy for 140 years.
This fossil cast is an exact replica of the famous Berlin specimen, unearthed
in the Solnhofen Limestone deposit in southern Germany. In
this exceptional piece, the impression of wings, feathers and a chest 'wishbone'
(furcula), all characteristics of modern birds, have been clearly preserved
in the stone. This has led many scientists to conclude that Archaeopteryx
was the first bird. However, unlike any modern birds, the fossil
animal clearly shows a long bony tail, sharp teeth, a flat sternum
or breast bone, three claws on the wing and other skeletal characteristics
that are similar to dinosaur fossils, particularly the group Maniraptora.
Only about seven of these fossils have ever been discovered.
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.
View showing wing and feather structure.
Detail of foot and claws
This
RECREATION
This beautiful reproduction was cast directly
from a mold of the original fossil currently located at Humboldt University
in Berlin, Germany. It has been hand molded and hand finished in
the USA by artists/archeologists expressly for Echoes In Time.
Every effort was used to make the recreation as accurate as possible, including
the look and feel of an ancient stone fossil, and we are proud of the results.
This exquisite reproduction is ready for hanging and is available no where
else.
ORIGINAL FOSSIL ART
Presented Exclusively
by
ECHOES IN TIME
For questions or more information please contact us directly at
info@echoesintime.com
or toll free (877) 922-3246
All written and pictorial material is protected by
EIT Copyright 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
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PRICE INFORMATION:
-
This highly accurate, museum quality First Bird reproduction was commissioned
by Echoes In Time which exclusively owns the rights to produce it.
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As a result we can offer this item far more reasonably than anyone else.
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A major national retailer offers this same piece at a price of $110
and
its still a bargin!
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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!
We are committed to providing unusual items of high quality
to our clients at a very reasonable prices.
We are committed to fair and honest dealing and to complete customer
satisfaction.
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30
day money back guarantee!!!
Domestic Buyers
pay the FIXED COST listed below to cover ALLshipping,
handling
and insurance fees.
For foreign
shipments the additional shipping costs
will apply. Contact us for exact amount.
BIDDING
ADVISORY
Please note: If this item
has received no bid within 18 hours of its scheduled ending,
Echoes In Time reserves the right to
extend it's closing time
by the next available increment (2-3 days).
The closing time will be frozen when
the first bid is recieved.
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SHIPPING
Item will be shipped within 2 working
days after receipt of payment.
Confirmation
of shipment will be E-mailed to you when item ships.
Delivery typically takes from 3 to
5 days from ship date, depending on location,
within the continental US.
REDUCED SHIPPING
CHARGE FOR 2 or MORE ITEMS !
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We will be happy to speed up your delivery!
Contact us via e-mail or at our toll
free number for cost and information.
info@echoesintime.com
, (877) 922-3246
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All
material, both written and photographic, is copyright protected by Echoes
In Time, 2001-2005
We offer original artifacts and
reproductions from cultures around the world, including
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