Figure 1 -Archaeopteryx natickigensis non-fossil non-discovery, Natick, MA. (c) DE Wolf 2019.

Jurassic Park fans and dinosaur aficionados, in general, are well aware of the theory that today’s birds evolved from dinosaurs. To see the veracity of this theory one has only to observe the jerky lumberings of the wild turkey. Alfred Hitchcock aside, we are surrounded by the descendants of dinosaurs. 

The earliest “proof,” or perhaps tease is a better word,  was a single fossil feather unearthed in 1860 or 1861 and described in 1861 by Hermann von Meyer. It is currently located at the Natural History Museum of Berlin. Then the first fossil skeleton, now known as the London Specimen (BMNH 37001), was unearthed in 1861 near Langenaltheim, Germany, and the story goes that it was given to a local physician, Karl Häberlein, as payment for medical services. He then sold it for £700 to the Natural History Museum in London. Significantly, this fossil was described in 1863 by Richard Owen and given the name Archaeopteryx macrura.

Until recently, twelve specimens have been recovered. An indication of just how rare species specific fossils can be. Significantly, I have discovered a 13th specimen, a new species of Archaeopteryx in the bedrock of the floor tiles of the Natick Mall. This is shown in Figure 1. The species here has been name Archaeopteryx natickigensis for its location. In reality the species A. natickigensis is a new non-species and contributes absolutely nothing to our understanding of the phylogeny of birds. Rather it speaks to the genesis of fissures in the bedrock and the need for improved mall. maintenance.