Archeopteryx

/ˌɑːrkiːˈɒptərɪks/ noun

Definition

An ancient bird-like dinosaur from about 150 million years ago that had both dinosaur and bird features, considered a key fossil showing evolution from dinosaurs to modern birds.

Etymology

From Greek 'archi-' (primitive, first) and 'pteryx' (wing), literally meaning 'primitive wing,' named because it represented the first winged dinosaurs.

Kelly Says

Archaeopteryx is perhaps the most famous fossil ever—it's a literal transitional form showing evolution happening, with both dinosaur teeth and bird feathers, proving Darwin's predictions about ancestor species.

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