Unveiling The Chicago Archaeopteryx

All Archaeopteryx specimens come from a fossil deposit in southern Germany called the Solnhofen Limestone. This fossil was unearthed by quarry workers in 1990, and has been in the hands of private collectors ever since. A coalition of supporters helped the Field Museum procure it, and it arrived at the Museum in August 2022. “When the specimen arrived, it was still unprepared, meaning that most of the skeleton was obscured by a top layer of rock,” reports Jingmai O’Connor, Associate Curator of Fossil Reptiles. “We weren’t sure how complete it was—when we X-rayed the fossil slab and saw that the fossil inside was nearly 100% complete, we cheered.” The preparation was led by Field Museum Fossil Preparators Akiko Shinya and Connie Van Beek, whose work preserved fine details that are critical for research. Jingmai declares that it is the best-prepared Archaeopteryx anywhere, and she is preparing a study on never-before-seen details of the animal’s skeleton, especially its skull. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle were on hand Monday for the unveiling of the fossil as part of a press preview. The fossil went on public display the next day, accompanied by a hologram-like animated 3D projection showing how Archaeopteryx would have looked in life. Field Museum Members are also getting to see the specimen at Members’ Nights, when our exhibitions and behind-the-scenes collections are open for Members to explore. Following the Field’s Dinopalooza celebration on Saturday, June 8, the fossil will be removed from view in preparation for its permanent exhibition in a large immersive display opening in Fall 2024. Acquisition of the specimen was made possible through the generosity of the Walter Family Foundation and a challenge grant from an anonymous donor, with additional support provided by Diana and David Moore, Jessica and Steve Sarowitz, Nicholas J. Pritzker, the Lauer Foundation for Paleontology (Bruce Lauer and René Lauer), and the Marshall B. Front Family Charitable Foundation (Laura De Ferrari and Marshall B. Front). For copious news coverage, just Google “Archaeopteryx Field Museum,” and you’ll see links to WTTW, WGN, U.S News and World Report, ABC Chicago, NBC-5 Chicago, Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times, Smithsonian Magazine, and more.
May 10. 2024