[HairOfTheDog]

The fossils that look like Archaeopteryx lived millions of years after Archaeopteryx, and the fossils that preceded Archaeopteryx look nothing at all like it. The bizarre bird is just an odd creation that came out of nowhere and went nowhere

How long does it take to make a fossil, and under what conditions are they preserved?

Do we really think we've seen all the evidence? I think only a small percentage of the natural history even exists for us to ponder about... most has been devoured by time and scattered to the winds. I certainly wouldn't assume we've seen it all. We're looking at a very small sample, and always risk coming to the wrong conclusion about where it fits in the big picture.

[Junior]

The author actually addresses your points.