They could not tear meat or crunch
through hard bones. Scientists believe
Archaeopteryx probably ate insects such
as dragonflies and mayflies.
FORMING FOSSILS
Archaeopteryx specimens have been found in
limestone at the bottom of a warm, shallow lagoon.
Scientists have a theory about how these fossils
formed. Strong winds may have blown the animals
into the water. This caused the animals to drown.
Their bodies sank. They settled in the mud at the
bottom of the water. Over many years, the mud
built up in layers. Under the weight of the layers,
the mud turned to stone. The animal’s bones also
slowly turned to stone. In some cases, its feathers
imprinted in the stone as well.
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