Here is the real fossil upon which the design was based. The first specimen was uncovered in 1861 in the Solnhofen limestone deposits of Bavaria, Germany—an area famous for its exceptional fossil preservation. This initial find came just two years after the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species and was quickly recognized as a critical piece of evidence in support of evolutionary theory. Archaeopteryx possessed both avian features, such as feathers and a wishbone, and reptilian traits, including teeth, claws on its wings, and a long bony tail. This mosaic of characteristics made it the earliest known transitional fossil between non-avian dinosaurs and birds, bridging the gap in our understanding of how flight evolved. The Solnhofen limestone has since yielded several more specimens, each deepening our knowledge of this fascinating "first bird."