Archaeopteryx, sometimes referred to by its German name Urvogel ("original bird" or "first bird"), is the earliest and most primitive bird known. Archaeopteryx lived in the late Jurassic Period around 155–150 million years ago, in what is now southern Germany during a time when Europe was an archipelago of islands in a shallow warm tropical sea, much closer to the equator than it is now.

Archaeopteryx

Archaeopteryx, sometimes referred to by its German name Urvogel ("original bird" or "first bird"), is…

The primitive processes of making fire.

Making Fire

The primitive processes of making fire.

"In this the four lateral planes are rectangular and equal; they may be either oblong or square; in the latter case the form is the cube." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Primitive Crystal

"In this the four lateral planes are rectangular and equal; they may be either oblong or square; in…

"If the base is a square and the prism stands erect—that is, if its sides or lateral planes, as they are called, are perpendicular to the base—the form is termed a right square prism." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Primitive Crystal

"If the base is a square and the prism stands erect—that is, if its sides or lateral planes, as…

"When the base is a rectangle instead of a square, the form is a right rectangular prism." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Primitive Crystal

"When the base is a rectangle instead of a square, the form is a right rectangular prism." —The…

"When the base is a rhombus, and the prism stands erect, the form is a right rhombic prism." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Primitive Crystal

"When the base is a rhombus, and the prism stands erect, the form is a right rhombic prism." —The…

"When the base is a rhomboid, and the prism stands erect, it is only the opposite laeral faces that can be equal. The form is called a right rhomboidal prism." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1903

Primitive Crystal

"When the base is a rhomboid, and the prism stands erect, it is only the opposite laeral faces that…

Tools used by men of primitive days.

Primitive Tools

Tools used by men of primitive days.