Exhibition Highlights
See a real, Jurassic-era Archaeopteryx fossil up-close
Watch Archaeopteryx come to life in a 3D animated projection
Discover the importance of this small but mighty dinosaur
What is Archaeopteryx?
How do you pronounce Archaeopteryx?
Every bird you’ve ever seen— every pigeon at a bus stop, every penguin at the zoo— is a living, breathing dinosaur. Birds are the only group of dinosaurs that survived the mass extinction caused when an asteroid hit the Earth 66 million years ago. A fossil called Archaeopteryx, with feathers, hollow bones, clawed wings, fifty tiny teeth, and a long bony tail, is the earliest known dinosaur that also qualifies as a bird.
Image slideshow
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Dinosaur or Bird?
Archaeopteryx Timeline
The Jurassic Era Begins
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Locations of Archaeopteryx
There are 10 Archaeopteryx on public exhibition. The Chicago fossil is the only specimen in a major city in the western Hemisphere
Meet the Team
Image slideshow
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Large Print Guides are available upon request in English and Spanish upon entry to the exhibition.
Strollers are allowed everywhere except ticketed special exhibitions such as Unseen Oceans, where stroller parking is available near the exhibition entrance. This requirement is not applicable for accessibility instances.
We understand that the Unseen Oceans exhibition can be overwhelming for some and if your visit would be better accommodated with the use of a sensory bag, feel free to visit our Visitor Center on the ground floor. These include various fidgets, sunglasses, headphones, and emotion cards we hope may better the Museum experience.
Exhibition Primary Sponsors
Acquisition of the Chicago Archaeopteryx was made possible through the generosity of the Walter Family Foundation and a challenge grant from an anonymous donor.
Additional support is provided by:
The Chicago Archaeopteryx will be viewable to the public until June 9, 2024. It will then be off-view until early Sept while it's new space is completed. It will then be a permanent part of our Evolving Planet exhibition.
Press Kit
A press kit, including photographs, illustrations, and video, is available on Dropbox.
