Photographic Print : 1846 Hydrarchos whale fake monster fossil
Photo Prints from Science Photo Library
1846 Hydrarchos whale fake monster fossil
1846 copper engraving from a Leipzig newspaper. It shows the German exhibition of " Dr." Albert Kochs 114 foot (34 metre) skeleton of a fossil sea serpent. It was displayed as such in the US and later in Europe where it caused a sensation. This was before the dinosaur reconstruction exhibitions of the crystal palace, or any accurate reconstructions of articulated dinosaurs had been attempted. Later Hydrachos was shown to be a forged composite of up to five individuals primarily of the fossil whale Basilosaurus - at the time believed to be reptilian (hence saurus ). Sir Richard Owen earlier showed Basilosaurus was actually a mammal and renamed it Zeuglodon - a synonym which is sometimes preferred but scientifically does not have primacy. While Kochs sea serpent was received with scepticism in the US and UK, it was accepted as real in his native Germany
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6347463
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Black And White Composite Eocene Fake Forgery Fossil Germany Hoax Loch Ness Monster Reconstruction Richard Owen Whale Koch Mono Chrome
11"x8.5" Photo Print
Discover the captivating allure of the past with Media Storehouse's Collection of Photographic Prints. This mesmerizing piece features the enigmatic "1846 Hydrarchos Whale" by Paul D. Stewart from Science Photo Library. Originally published as a copper engraving in a Leipzig newspaper, this intriguing image showcases "Dr. Koch's" alleged 114-foot (34 metre) fossil sea serpent skeleton, igniting the imagination and fueling debates about the existence of mythical creatures. Bring the mystery and wonder of this fascinating historical artifact into your home or office with our high-quality photographic prints.
Photo prints are produced on Kodak professional photo paper resulting in timeless and breath-taking prints which are also ideal for framing. The colors produced are rich and vivid, with accurate blacks and pristine whites, resulting in prints that are truly timeless and magnificent. Whether you're looking to display your prints in your home, office, or gallery, our range of photographic prints are sure to impress. Dimensions refers to the size of the paper in inches.
Our Photo Prints are in a large range of sizes and are printed on Archival Quality Paper for excellent colour reproduction and longevity. They are ideal for framing (our Framed Prints use these) at a reasonable cost. Alternatives include cheaper Poster Prints and higher quality Fine Art Paper, the choice of which is largely dependant on your budget.
Estimated Image Size (if not cropped) is 27.9cm x 15.5cm (11" x 6.1")
Estimated Product Size is 27.9cm x 21.6cm (11" x 8.5")
These are individually made so all sizes are approximate
Artwork printed orientated as per the preview above, with landscape (horizontal) orientation to match the source image.
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print takes us back to the year 1846, when a remarkable exhibition caused quite a stir in both the United States and Europe. The image depicts an engraving from a Leipzig newspaper showcasing "Dr". Albert Koch's astonishing creation - a colossal skeleton of what was believed to be a sea serpent. At an impressive length of 114 feet (34 meters), this fossil monster named Hydrarchos fascinated audiences with its sheer size and mysterious origins. However, as time went on, doubts began to emerge about the authenticity of Koch's creation. It was later revealed that Hydrarchos was not one complete creature but rather a cleverly constructed forgery made up of parts from multiple individuals. The primary source for this composite masterpiece turned out to be Basilosaurus, a fossil whale that was initially mistaken for being reptilian due to its saurian characteristics. Sir Richard Owen had previously identified Basilosaurus as actually being a mammal and renamed it Zeuglodon. While skepticism surrounded Koch's sea serpent in countries like the US and UK, his native Germany embraced it as genuine. This controversial exhibit predates any accurate reconstructions of articulated dinosaurs or dinosaur exhibitions at Crystal Palace. This intriguing print serves as both evidence of scientific deception during that era and an important reminder of how our understanding evolves over time through rigorous investigation by experts like Richard Owen who strive for accuracy in their discoveries.
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