1770 Mstricht Mosasaur by Cuvier
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1770 Mstricht Mosasaur by Cuvier
1812 Composite description and plate of " the big fossil animal" (later named Mosasaur hoffmanii) from Vol. III, Cuviers " Ossamens Fossiles". The Mstricht Mosasaur was the first giant prehistoric reptile to be found and described by science. It prompted enlightenment scholars to consider that the world might once have been populated by different creatures to those found today. It was excavated in the St. Peters Bergs cave system by miners, and publicised widely by the naturalist Johann Hoffman. It was later captured by French Revolutionary forces in Holland and taken to Paris. A Dutch naturalist Adriaan Camper realised the beast was allied to the lizards in 1799. In 1808 Georges Cuvier confirmed this conclusion and published it in his seminal paleontology work " Ossamens Fossiles" (the pages in this image). It was not actually named Mosasaurus (" Meuse reptile" ) in 1822
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6319479
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
18th Century Black And White Chalk Cretaceous Cuvier Dinosaur Discovery Extinct Extinction Fossil Lizard Maastrichtian Mosasaur Mososaur Pre Historic Reptile Mono Chrome Palaeontology
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the remarkable "1770 Mstricht Mosasaur" discovered and described by science in the 18th century. As the first giant prehistoric reptile to be found, this extraordinary creature sparked a wave of enlightenment among scholars, challenging their understanding of Earth's past inhabitants. Unearthed within the St. Peters Bergs cave system by diligent miners, it was Johann Hoffman, a renowned naturalist, who brought widespread attention to this magnificent find. Intriguingly, French Revolutionary forces later seized this monumental fossil from Holland and transported it to Paris. It wasn't until Dutch naturalist Adriaan Camper recognized its connection to lizards in 1799 that its true nature began to unravel. Georges Cuvier further solidified these findings in his groundbreaking work "Ossamens Fossiles" published in 1808 (depicted within these pages). Although not officially named Mosasaurus until 1822 ("Meuse reptile"), this marine marvel left an indelible mark on paleontology and our understanding of extinct creatures from the Cretaceous period. The monochrome artistry captured in this image transports us back through time, allowing us to appreciate the intricate details of this ancient reptilian species. With its historical significance and scientific importance firmly established, Paul D. Stewart's masterful depiction immortalizes the awe-inspiring beauty of the Mstricht Mosasaur for generations to come.
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