News Paleontology

Bird Brain? Cranial scan of fossil hints at flight capability

By Sid Perkins

- More than 2 years ago

A detailed X-ray scan of the fossilized braincase of an Archaeopteryx shows that several features of the ancient feathered creature’s brain and inner ear were highly developed and similar to those of modern birds.

HEADY STUFF. Digital reconstruction of the 20-millimeter-long braincase of Archaeopteryx shows bulges (arrow) that housed the brain’s vision-processing system.