Archaeopteryx has been regarded as an icon of evolution ever since its discovery from the LateJurassic limestone deposits of solnhofen, Germany in 1861. Here we report the first evidenceof colour from Archaeopteryx based on fossilized colour-imparting melanosomes discoveredin this isolated feather specimen. using a phylogenetically diverse database of extant birdfeathers, statistical analysis of melanosome morphology predicts that the original colour ofthis Archaeopteryx feather was black, with 95% probability. Furthermore, reexamination ofthe feather’s morphology leads us to interpret it as an upper major primary covert, contraryto previous interpretations. Additional findings reveal that the specimen is preserved as anorganosulphur residue, and that barbule microstructure identical to that of modern bird feathershad evolved as early as the Jurassic. As in extant birds, the extensive melanization would haveprovided structural advantages to the Archaeopteryx wing feather during this early evolutionarystage of dinosaur flight.
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