From the Solnhofen Limestone Formation, Germany, Late Jurassic. Archaeopteryx, meaning "Ancient Wing," was discovered in 1859. Perhaps the most famous fossils in the world, ten skeleton specimens are now known, some amazingly well preserved. Like modern birds, Archaeopteryx had long wing and tail feathers, and has been regarded as the first bird. We now know that complex feathers and other birdlike features were widespread among the meat-eating dinosaurs known as maniraptorans. While…