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 under his control and full exposed, his subsequent study and monograph was the first comprehensive description of an "Archaeopteryx" specimen that had not been disarticulated. The Berlin specimen of "Archaeopteryx" is to date the most complete existing specimen of this genus, and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful fossils in the world. Its well-preserved skeleton and the preserved feathers of its wings and tail have made it of considerable interest to a wide range of scientific study, beginning with Wilhelm Dames and Carl Vogt shortly following its discovery. This iconic fossil preserves the animal with an articulated