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Science 2 May 1986:
Vol. 232. no. 4750, pp. 622 - 626
DOI: 10.1126/science.232.4750.622
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Articles

Archaeopteryx Is Not a Forgery

ALAN J. CHARIG 1, FRANK GREENAWAY 2, ANGELA C. MILNER 1, CYRIL A. WALKER 1, and PETER J. WHYBROW 3

1 Fossil Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds Section, British Museum (Natural History), London SW7 5BD, England.
2 Principal Photographer, British Museum (Natural History), London SW7 5BD, England.
3 Palaeontological Laboratory, British Museum (Natural History), London SW7 5BD, England.

Archaeopteryx lithographica might be regarded as the most important zoological species known, fossil or recent. Its importance lies not in that its transitional nature is unique—there are many such transitional forms at all taxonomic levels—but in the fact that it is an obvious and comprehensible example of organic evolution. There have been recent allegations that the feather impressions on Archaeopteryx are a forgery. In this report, proof of authenticity is provided by exactly matching hairline cracks and dendrites on the feathered areas of the opposing slabs, which show the absence of the artificial cement layer into which modern feathers could have been pressed by a forger.

Submitted on July 11, 1985
Accepted on November 15, 1985


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
A New Speciment of Archaeopteryx.
P. Wellnhofer and P. Wellnhofer (1988)
Science 240, 1790
   Abstract »    PDF »
Feathers Still Fly in Row over Fossil Bird: Scientists at Britain's Natural History Museum claim new evidence proves that their fossil of Archaeopteryx is, genuine. Two prominent astronomers continue to insist that it is a fake.
D. Dickson and D. DICKSON (1987)
Science 238, 475-476
   PDF »


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