The discovery of Protoavis texensis Some fossil finds might be imagined that are particularly controversial for evolutionary theories. Such a find would generate intense controversy among anthropologists, as many of them have devoted their lives to the minute study of fossil bones in order to trace evolutionary relationships. Transfering these thoughts to the world of fossil birds will assist understanding of developments in the past year. The favoured route has been through the dinosaurs.
Numerous experts support the idea that Archaeopteryx was a feathered dinosaur.
The fossils come from rocks that are considered to be 75 million years older than Archaeopteryx - old enough to predate all potential dinosaurian ancestors. The story broke in 1986, when Chatterjee was able to examine closely some specimens first excavated in 1983. Then, a cloak of secrecy surrounded the fossils, and we have had to wait 5 years for the first of a series of formal reports by Chatterjee to appear. They belong to two specimens of the same species. Like Archaeopteryx , Protoavis has a long bony tail and several other reptilian features, but the skull, forelimbs, shoulder and hip girdle are bird-like.