Archaeopteryx fossil map
Where fossils of Archaeopteryx have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 145 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 145 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Theropods |
|---|---|
| Lived | 149.2–121.4 million years ago (Tithonian to Barremian) |
| Periods | Jurassic, Cretaceous |
| Named by | Meyer 1861 |
| Fossil records | 10 occurrences at 9 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Germany, Spain |
| Rock formations | Altmühltal, txn:NF, Solnhofen, Camarillas, Painten, Mörnsheim |
About Archaeopteryx
Archaeopteryx (; lit. 'ancient wing'), sometimes referred to by its German name, "Urvogel " (lit. 'Primeval Bird') is an extinct genus of bird-like dinosaurs. The genus name derives from the Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖος (archaîos), meaning 'ancient', and πτέρυξ (ptérux), meaning 'feather, wing'. Between the late 19th century and the early 21st century, Archaeopteryx was generally accepted by palaeontologists and popular reference books as the oldest known bird (member of the group Avialae). Older potential avialans have since been identified, including Anchiornis, Xiaotingia, Aurornis, and Baminornis.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Archaeopteryx (revision 1378563677), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 22 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q100196.
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