1770 Mstricht Mosasaur discovery
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1770 Mstricht Mosasaur discovery
1798 Copperplate engraving with its original handcolouring from Volume III of J.L Bertuchs " Bilderbuch fur Kinder". Mosasaur hoffmanii. 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. This image shows its 1770 discovery (above) in the St. Peters Bergs cave system near Mstricht (below) by marl miners. The find was publicised widely by the naturalist Johann Hoffman. It was later captured by French Revolutionary forces and taken to Paris. A Dutch naturalist Adriaan Camper realised the beast was allied to the lizards in 1799. In 1808 Georges Cuvier confirmed the fact, publishing it in his seminal paleontology work " Ossamens Fossiles". It was not actually named Mosasaurus (" Meuse reptile" ) until 1822
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6317335
© This image is Paul D. Stewart 2009. Do not reproduce without permission of the photographer at Stewartpauld@aol.com
18th Century Chalk Cretaceous Cuvier Dinosaur Discovery Extinct Extinction Fossil Lizard Maastrichtian Marl Mosasaur Mososaur Pre Historic Reptile Maastricht Palaeontology
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the year 1770, when a groundbreaking discovery forever changed our understanding of prehistoric life. The image showcases an exquisite copperplate engraving with original handcolouring from Volume III of J. L Bertuch's "Bilderbuch fur Kinder". It depicts the awe-inspiring moment when the Mstricht Mosasaur was unearthed in the St. Peters Bergs cave system near Mstricht. The significance of this find cannot be overstated, as it marked the first encounter with a colossal prehistoric reptile by scientific minds. The revelation prompted enlightenment scholars to question whether Earth had once been inhabited by creatures vastly different from those we know today. Johann Hoffman, a renowned naturalist, played a pivotal role in publicizing this remarkable discovery far and wide. However, fate had other plans for this ancient marvel. French Revolutionary forces captured it and transported it to Paris. It wasn't until Dutch naturalist Adriaan Camper recognized its kinship with lizards in 1799 that its true nature began to unfold. In 1808, Georges Cuvier solidified these findings through his seminal work on paleontology titled "Ossamens Fossiles". Interestingly enough, it took another fourteen years before the creature received its official name - Mosasaurus or "Meuse reptile" - in 1822. This extraordinary artwork transports us back to a time when humans were just beginning to comprehend Earth's rich history and diverse inhabitants. It serves as a testament to human curiosity and our relentless pursuit of knowledge about our planet's past.
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