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'''''Archaeopteryx''''', an extinct [[bird]] known from a small number of [[fossil|fossilized]] remains found in southern Germany, is claimed by [[evolution|evolutionary]] biologists to be the first species of bird to appear on Earth<ref>"Archaeopteryx is the oldest bird in the fossil record." - John Wells [http://www.discovery.org/a/1106]</ref>, as well as a so-called "[[transitional form]]" between reptiles and birds.

'''''Archaeopteryx''''', an extinct [[bird]] known from a small number of [[fossil]]ized remains found in southern Germany, is claimed by [[evolution]]ary biologists to be the first species of bird to appear on Earth,<ref>[http://www.discovery.org/a/1106 "Archaeopteryx is the oldest bird in the fossil record." - John Wells]</ref> as well as a so-called "[[transitional form]]" between reptiles and birds.

There are two criticisms of ''Archaeopteryx''.  The first is that the fossils are an elaborate hoax as claimed by the British astronomer and physicist, Sir [[Fred Hoyle]]; the second is that ''Archaeopterix'' is a true bird, and not a transitional form suggesting evolution.

There are two criticisms of ''Archaeopteryx''.  The first is that the fossils are an elaborate hoax as claimed by the British astronomer and physicist, Sir [[Fred Hoyle]]; the second is that ''Archaeopterix'' is a true bird, and not a transitional form suggesting evolution.

The bill, like modern birds, was capable of independent movement in both the upper and lower jaws; unlike modern birds, both jaws were studded with small teeth.  

The bill, like modern birds, was capable of independent movement in both the upper and lower jaws; unlike modern birds, both jaws were studded with small teeth.  

The hip bones are fully-formed and bird-like, i.e. the pubic bone points to the rear, unlike theropod dinosaurs (which had a forward-pointing pubic bone) from which evolution claims an ancestry.  Despite this contradiction, some authorities prefer to place ''Archaeopterix'' within the order Avetheropoda, which includes such theropods as [[Tyrannosaurus|''Tyrannosaurus rex'']] and [[Spinosaurus|''Spinosaurus'']]<ref>http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=basicTaxonInfo&taxon_no=55483</ref>

The hip bones are fully-formed and bird-like, i.e. the pubic bone points to the rear, unlike theropod dinosaurs (which had a forward-pointing pubic bone) from which evolution claims an ancestry.  Despite this contradiction, some authorities prefer to place ''Archaeopterix'' within the order Avetheropoda, which includes such theropods as [[Tyrannosaurus|''Tyrannosaurus rex'']] and ''[[Spinosaurus]]''<ref>http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=basicTaxonInfo&taxon_no=55483</ref>

All known fossils - approximately thirteen - were found in the Solenhofen limestone formation of southern Bavaria, Germany.

All known fossils - approximately thirteen - were found in the Solenhofen limestone formation of southern Bavaria, Germany.

===Fraud dispute===

===Fraud dispute===

====Charges of fraud====

====Charges of fraud====

In 1983, a half-dozen leading [[British]] scientists led by noted British [[Fred Hoyle|Radio-astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle]] carefully studied the plates and counter-plates from the two best ''Archaeopteryx'' specimens, and found evidence of forgery.<ref>Sarfati, 2000</ref>  They discovered that the front and back slabs of each specimen do not match.<ref name="four">British Journal of Photography (March-June 1985).<br />W.J. Broad, "Authenticity of Bird Fossil is Challenged," N.Y. Times C1, C14 (May 7, 1985).<br />T. Nield, "Feathers Fly Over Fossil 'Fraud'," New Scientist 1467:49-50.<br />G. Vines, "Strange Case of Archaeopteryx 'Fraud'," New Scientist 1447:3.</ref>

In 1983, a half-dozen leading [[British]] scientists led by noted British [[Fred Hoyle|Radio-astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle]] carefully studied the plates and counter-plates from the two best ''Archaeopteryx'' specimens, and found evidence of forgery.<ref>Sarfati, 2000</ref>  They discovered that the front and back slabs of each specimen do not match.<ref name="four">British Journal of Photography (March–June 1985).<br />W.J. Broad, "Authenticity of Bird Fossil is Challenged," N.Y. Times C1, C14 (May 7, 1985).<br />T. Nield, "Feathers Fly Over Fossil 'Fraud'," New Scientist 1467:49-50.<br />G. Vines, "Strange Case of Archaeopteryx 'Fraud'," New Scientist 1447:3.</ref>

They found that an alteration had been made to the left wing as depicted in an 1863 drawing.<ref name="four" />

They found that an alteration had been made to the left wing as depicted in an 1863 drawing.<ref name="four" />

They concluded that the feather markings had been imprinted by hand.<ref name="four" />

They concluded that the feather markings had been imprinted by hand.<ref name="four" />

The same [[British]] Museum had been responsible for the [[Piltdown Man]] fraud.

The same [[British]] Museum had been responsible for the [[Piltdown Man]] fraud.

====Assertions of authenticity====

====Assertions of authenticity====

Scientists who have since inspected the London ''Archaeopteryx'' and other specimens have conlcuded these fossils are not forgeries<ref>Charig et al. 1986. Archaeopteryx is not a forgery. Science 232: 622-626</ref>. In particular, the found the feathers on the Maxburg fossil continue underneath the bones - precluding the possibility of them being added to a reptile fossil, tiny fractures that could not have been seen at the time of Archaeopteryx's discovery matched in the plate and counter-plate and the 'blobs' cited by Hoyle are also have matching impressions on the counter plate (suggesting they weren't added). The evidence that ''Archaeopteryx'' is not a fraud is so strong that creationist site Answers in Genesis suggests creationists don't use this argument <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/get-answers/topic/arguments-we-dont-use</ref>

Scientists who have since inspected the London ''Archaeopteryx'' and other specimens have conlcuded these fossils are not forgeries.<ref>Charig et al. 1986. Archaeopteryx is not a forgery. Science 232: 622-626</ref> In particular, the found the feathers on the Maxburg fossil continue underneath the bones - precluding the possibility of them being added to a reptile fossil, tiny fractures that could not have been seen at the time of Archaeopteryx's discovery matched in the plate and counter-plate and the 'blobs' cited by Hoyle are also have matching impressions on the counter plate (suggesting they weren't added). The evidence that ''Archaeopteryx'' is not a fraud is so strong that creationist site Answers in Genesis suggests creationists don't use this argument <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/get-answers/topic/arguments-we-dont-use</ref>

===Not a transitional===

===Not a transitional===

The second criticism of the ''Archaeopteryx'', that it is not a transitional form, has been strengthened by the work of anatomist Dr. David Menton<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/d_menton.asp</ref> suggesting that ''Archaeopteryx'' is a true bird with flight feathers, not a transitional form at all.  In 1994, an article explained that the ''Archaeopteryx'' was essentially a flying bird, with a large [[cerebellum]] and [[visual cortex]]. The fact that it had teeth is irrelevant to its alleged transitional status -- a number of extinct birds had teeth, while many reptiles do not (the South American [[hoatzin]], ''Opisthocomus hoazin'', also shares with ''Archaeopteryx'' clawed digits in its wings, albeit as juveniles).

The second criticism of the ''Archaeopteryx'', that it is not a transitional form, has been strengthened by the work of anatomist Dr. David Menton<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/d_menton.asp</ref> suggesting that ''Archaeopteryx'' is a true bird with flight feathers, not a transitional form at all.  In 1994, an article explained that the ''Archaeopteryx'' was essentially a flying bird, with a large [[cerebellum]] and [[visual cortex]]. The fact that it had teeth is irrelevant to its alleged transitional status—a number of extinct birds had teeth, while many reptiles do not (the South American [[hoatzin]], ''Opisthocomus hoazin'', also shares with ''Archaeopteryx'' clawed digits in its wings, albeit as juveniles).

== Evidence for evolution? ==

== Evidence for evolution? ==

| [[File:ArchaeopterixFeather.jpg|100px]] || Feather<ref name="CN">Nedlin, 1999 (The TalkOrigins Archive)</ref> || 1860 || Near Solnhofen || Described by H. von Meyer || Humboldt Museum für Naturkunde in [[Berlin]] || Single feather only.

| [[File:ArchaeopterixFeather.jpg|100px]] || Feather<ref name="CN">Nedlin, 1999 (The TalkOrigins Archive)</ref> || 1860 || Near Solnhofen || Described by H. von Meyer || Humboldt Museum für Naturkunde in [[Berlin]] || Single feather only.

|-

|-

| [[File:ArchaeopteryxLondon.JPG|100px]] || London specimen<ref name="CN" /><ref name="CFM" /> || 1861 || Near Langenaltheim || Announced by H. v Meyer || [[British Museum of Natural History]], [[London]] || Missing the head and neck; detailed feather impressions.

| [[File:ArchaeopteryxLondon.JPG|100px]] || London specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1861 || Near Langenaltheim || Announced by H. v Meyer || [[British Museum of Natural History]], [[London]] || Missing the head and neck; detailed feather impressions.

|-

|-

| [[File:Archaeopteryx1.jpg|100px]] || Berlin specimen<ref name="CN" /><ref name="CFM" /> || 1877 || Near Blumenberg || Described by W. Dames || Humboldt Museum für Naturkunde || The most complete specimen

| [[File:Archaeopteryx1.jpg|100px]] || Berlin specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1877 || Near Blumenberg || Described by W. Dames || Humboldt Museum für Naturkunde || The most complete specimen

|-

|-

| [[File:ArchaeopterixMaxberg.jpg|100px]] || Maxberg specimen<ref name="CN" /><ref name="CFM" /> || 1958 || Near Langenaltheim || Found and owned by Eduard Opitsch || Maxberg Museum; currently lost or stolen || Torso, wings, and feather impressions

| [[File:ArchaeopterixMaxberg.jpg|100px]] || Maxberg specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1958 || Near Langenaltheim || Found and owned by Eduard Opitsch || Maxberg Museum; currently lost or stolen || Torso, wings, and feather impressions

|-

|-

| [[File:ArchaeopterixHaarlem.jpg|100px]] || Haarlem Specimen<ref name="CN" /><ref name="CFM" /> || 1855 || Near Riedenburg || Described by H. von Meyer || Teylers Museum, [[Haarlem]] || Not classified as ''Archaeopteryx'' until 1970.  Remains of wing claws and leg bones.

| [[File:ArchaeopterixHaarlem.jpg|100px]] || Haarlem Specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1855 || Near Riedenburg || Described by H. von Meyer || Teylers Museum, [[Haarlem]] || Not classified as ''Archaeopteryx'' until 1970.  Remains of wing claws and leg bones.

|-

|-

| [[File:ArchaeopteryxEichstätt.jpg|100px]] || Eichstätt Specimen<ref name="CN" /><ref name="CFM" /> || 1951 || Near Workerszell || Described by Peter Wellnhofer || Jura Museum, [[Eichstätt]] || Smallest specimen

| [[File:ArchaeopteryxEichstätt.jpg|100px]] || Eichstätt Specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1951 || Near Workerszell || Described by Peter Wellnhofer || Jura Museum, [[Eichstätt]] || Smallest specimen

|-

|-

| [[File:ArchaeopteryxSolenhofen.jpg|100px]] || Solnhofen Specimen<ref name="CN" /><ref name="CFM" /> || 1960s || Near Eichstätt || Described by Wellnhofer || Bürgermeister-Müller-Museum in Solnhofen || Nearly complete; no feather impressions.

| [[File:ArchaeopteryxSolenhofen.jpg|100px]] || Solnhofen Specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1960s || Near Eichstätt || Described by Wellnhofer || Bürgermeister-Müller-Museum in Solnhofen || Nearly complete; no feather impressions.

|-

|-

| [[File:ArchaeopterixMunich.jpg|100px]] || Munich specimen or Solnhofen-Aktien-Verein specimen<ref name="CN" /><ref name="CFM" /> || 1992 || Near Langenaltheim || Described by Wellnhofer || Paläontologisches Museum München, [[Munich]] || First specimen to be found with an intact sternum, proving ''Archaeopteryx'' was capable of powered flight like modern birds

| [[File:ArchaeopterixMunich.jpg|100px]] || Munich specimen or Solnhofen-Aktien-Verein specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1992 || Near Langenaltheim || Described by Wellnhofer || Paläontologisches Museum München, [[Munich]] || First specimen to be found with an intact sternum, proving ''Archaeopteryx'' was capable of powered flight like modern birds

|-

|-

| [[File:Archaeopteryx (Daiting Specimen).jpg|100px]] || Daiting specimen || 1990 || Near Daiting ||  ||  || The youngest specimen

| [[File:Archaeopteryx (Daiting Specimen).jpg|100px]] || Daiting specimen || 1990 || Near Daiting ||  ||  || The youngest specimen

* Anon., [http://www.wyodino.org/research/?item=archaeopteryx ''Archaeopteryx'': The Thermopolis Specimen] The Wyoming Dinosaur Center

* Anon., [http://www.wyodino.org/research/?item=archaeopteryx ''Archaeopteryx'': The Thermopolis Specimen] The Wyoming Dinosaur Center

* Bakalar, Nicholas, [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/12/1201_051201_archaeopteryx.html Earliest Bird Had Feet Like Dinosaur, Fossil Shows], National Geographic News, 1 December, 2005

* Bakalar, Nicholas, [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/12/1201_051201_archaeopteryx.html Earliest Bird Had Feet Like Dinosaur, Fossil Shows], National Geographic News, 1 December 2005

* Feduccia, A., "Evidence from Claw Geometry Indicating Arboreal Habits of Archaeopteryx," ''Science'', 259(5096):790-793, February 5, 1993 ([http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0036-8075%2819930205%293%3A259%3A5096%3C790%3AEFCGIA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-1 abstract])

* Feduccia, A., "Evidence from Claw Geometry Indicating Arboreal Habits of Archaeopteryx," ''Science'', 259(5096):790-793, February 5, 1993 ([http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0036-8075%2819930205%293%3A259%3A5096%3C790%3AEFCGIA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-1 abstract])

* [[Duane Gish|Gish, Duane]], [http://www.icr.org/article/321/ As a Transitional Form Archaeopteryx Won't Fly] ''Impact'', September 1, 1989

* [[Duane Gish|Gish, Duane]], [http://www.icr.org/article/321/ As a Transitional Form Archaeopteryx Won't Fly] ''Impact'', September 1, 1989

* Hartman, Scott, [http://skeletaldrawing.com/Archaeopteryx/archaeo.htm Clarification statement on Thermopolis specimen] 1st December 2005 (The Wyoming Dinosaur Center).

* Hartman, Scott, [http://skeletaldrawing.com/Archaeopteryx/archaeo.htm Clarification statement on Thermopolis specimen] 1 December 2005 (The Wyoming Dinosaur Center).

* Magovern, Charlie and Florence, [http://www.stonecompany.com/fossils/casts/archaeopteryx/data.html Archaeopteryx]

* Magovern, Charlie and Florence, [http://www.stonecompany.com/fossils/casts/archaeopteryx/data.html Archaeopteryx]

* Nedlin, Chris, [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/archaeopteryx/info.html#specimens All About Archaeopteryx], 1999 (The TalkOrigins Archive)

* Nedlin, Chris, [http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/archaeopteryx/info.html#specimens All About Archaeopteryx], 1999 (The TalkOrigins Archive)