Specimens of Archaeopteryx precipitated the first surge of widespread knowledge of the specimen across Europe. In the subsequent years of the 19th century, the London specimen was subject to a number of analyses by other researchers of historical importance, including Thomas Huxley, Othniel Charles Marsh, Wilhelm Dames, and Bronislav Petronievics. Much of this early study was relevant to controversy surrounding the possible taxonomic divisions of "Archaeopteryx" specimens. The London specimen is of obvious special importance because it was the first "Archaeopteryx" skeleton discovered. By coining the name "Archaeopteryx", meaning "ancient wing", von Meyer had declared the animal to be a bird. Despite the
Specimens of Archaeopteryx first time with six other original fossils of "Archaeopteryx" at the "Munich Mineral Show" in October 2009. A first, quick look by scientists indicates that this specimen might represent a new species of "Archaeopteryx". It was found in a limestone bed that was a few hundred thousand years younger than the other finds. The eighth specimen of "Archaeopteryx" was officially announced in February 1996 at a special exhibition at Bavaria’s Naturkunde Museum. Its director, Matthias Mäuser, made the announcement to a surprised audience that the specimen had already been casted and that this was on display in the exhibit. Few