* Early interpretations: Many scientists saw it as a "missing link" between reptiles and birds, a crucial piece of evidence for Darwin's theory of evolution. This interpretation was quite controversial at the time.
* Alternate views: Some argued it was simply a primitive bird with reptilian features, while others claimed it was a flying reptile rather than a bird at all.
* Later interpretations: As more fossils were found, the general consensus solidified. Today, most paleontologists agree that Archaeopteryx is a transitional fossil, a creature that displays characteristics of both birds and reptiles, supporting the evolutionary link between the two groups.
So, while there were various initial interpretations, the discovery of Archaeopteryx ultimately provided strong support for the idea that birds evolved from dinosaurs.