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1804 Megatherium Cuvier Plate
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1804 Megatherium Cuvier Plate
Copperplate, art by Laurilliard, engraving by Couet, (from Bru), Plate 1 in Cuviers account in " Annales du Museum National d Histoire Naturelle" 1804, Vol. 4, No 29. Cuviers reputation with fossils began with this animal to which he gave the latin name Megatherium americanum (Big American Mammal). The creature had been found in Argentina near Buenos Aires in 1787 (Darwin would make similar discoveries on the Beagle) and was sent to Madrid. It was mounted by Juan Bautista Bru and put on display. Cuvier wrote his description secondhand from drawings and a description sent by Bru. Cuvier realised it bore a resemblance to the much smaller tree sloth. He proposed Megatherium was a giant ground sloth. As such a big animal would have been seen if it were alive, Cuvier suggested must be extinct. Until that time most fossils were assumed to be of creatures still alive somewhere on the globe
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Media ID 6319251
© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Cuvier Extinct Extinction Fossil Giant Ground Sloth Mega Fauna Megatherium Pleistocene South American Palaeontology
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the 1804 Megatherium Cuvier Plate, a remarkable piece of artwork that holds great significance in the field of paleontology. Created by Laurilliard and engraved by Couet, this copperplate illustration is featured as Plate 1 in Cuvier's account within "Annales du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle" from 1804. Cuvier's reputation with fossils began with this very animal, which he named Megatherium americanum, meaning Big American Mammal. Discovered near Buenos Aires in Argentina back in 1787 (a discovery similar to those made by Darwin on his famous voyage aboard the Beagle), it was later sent to Madrid where Juan Bautista Bru meticulously mounted it for display. Despite not having seen the creature firsthand, Cuvier astutely observed its resemblance to the smaller tree sloth and proposed that Megatherium was actually a giant ground sloth. This groundbreaking realization led him to suggest that such a colossal creature must be extinct since no living specimen had ever been encountered. At that time, most fossils were believed to belong to creatures still existing somewhere on Earth. However, Cuvier's findings challenged this notion and opened up new possibilities for understanding prehistoric life. The image captured here beautifully depicts this ancient South American mega fauna and serves as a testament to both Cuvier's pioneering work and the incredible diversity of our planet's past inhabitants.
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