Archaeopteryx

X-Rays Shine New Light On Mystery 'Bird'

Is it a bird? Is it a dinosaur? Or something in between? The feathered limbs of Archaeopteryx have fascinated palaeontologists ever since Charles Darwin's day. Only 12 of these curious creatures have ever been found.
Now these precious fossils are going under the glare of a giant X-ray machine - to find out what lies buried beneath the surface. Using a new 'camera obscura' technique - inspired by Leonardo da Vinci - scientists have captured some of the clearest ever images of Archaeopteryx.