A portray of a griffon, a kind of chimaera, subsequent to fossils. Protoceratops, horned dinosaur. The latter is claimed to have knowledgeable the lore and look of the previous, however our research suggests no convincing relationship between dinosaurs and griffins. Credit score: Dr. Mark Whitton
New research debunks idea that griffin myths have been impressed by Protoceratops Dinosaur fossils, exposes inconsistencies in geographical and historic proof and requires a return to conventional interpretations of those legendary creatures.
A brand new research challenges the favored and broadly held declare that dinosaur fossils impressed the legend of the griffin, a legendary creature with the pinnacle and wings of a fowl of prey and the physique of a lion.
The particular connection between dinosaur fossils and griffin mythology was recommended greater than 30 years in the past in a collection of papers and books written by folklorist Adrian Mayor. This began with 1989 Cryptography This concept was established within the ebook “The First Fossil Hunters” revealed in 2000. This concept has turn into a staple of books, documentaries and museum exhibitions.
She factors out that early horned dinosaurs from Mongolia and China, ProtoceratopsIt was found by historical nomads who have been prospecting for gold in Central Asia. Tales Protoceratops The bones then moved southwest on commerce routes to encourage or no less than affect griffin tales and artwork.
Griffins are thought-about one of many oldest mythological creatures, having first appeared in Egyptian and Center Japanese artwork in the course of the fourth millennium BC, earlier than turning into well-liked in historical Greece in the course of the eighth century BC.
Protoceratops It was a small dinosaur (about 2 meters lengthy) that lived in Mongolia and northern China in the course of the Ice Age Cretaceous interval Interval (75-71 million years in the past). They belong to the group of horned dinosaurs, making them near Triceratops, though they really lack facial horns. like griffins, Protoceratops They stood on 4 legs, had beaks, and had ruffle-like extensions on their skulls that have been stated to be interpretable as wings.
Important reappraisal by students
Within the first detailed evaluation of the claims, research authors Dr. Mark Witton and Richard Hing, paleontologists at College of Portsmouth-Reassessing historic fossil data, distribution and nature Protoceratops Fossils and classical sources linking griffins to… Protoceratopsand consulted with historians and archaeologists to completely perceive the standard, non-fossil view of griffin origins. Finally, they discovered that not one of the arguments stood as much as scrutiny.
Concepts that Protoceratops For instance, it’s unlikely to be found by Bedouins trying to find gold when Protoceratops There are fossils lots of of kilometers away from historical gold websites. Within the century that adopted, Protoceratops It was found, and no gold was reported to be discovered beside it. It additionally appears uncertain that the Bedouins noticed a lot of it. Protoceratops Skeletons, although they’re prospecting for gold the place their fossils are discovered.
Skeletal comparisons Protoceratops And historical griffin arts. All griffins are clearly impressed by massive cats, from their muscle tissues and lengthy, versatile tails to their mane (referred to by the “hair” coiled on the neck), and birds, and differ from Protoceratops In nearly each measure of proportion and form. Picture compiled from illustrations in Wheaton and Henig (2024). Copyright: Dr. Mark Whitton
“There may be an assumption that dinosaur skeletons have been found half-exposed, unfold out nearly just like the stays of lately deceased animals,” Dr. Whitton stated. “However usually, solely a small portion of a eroded dinosaur skeleton could be seen to the bare eye, going unnoticed besides by sharp-eyed fossil hunters.
“That is nearly actually how the traditional nomadic peoples of Mongolia encountered ProtoceratopsIn the event that they need to see extra, as they are going to if they’re to type myths about these animals, they must extract the fossil from the encompassing rock. That is no easy process, even with trendy instruments, adhesives, protecting packaging, and preparatory methods. It appears extra doubtless that Protoceratops The stays, by and huge, would go unnoticed – if gold prospectors have been there to see them.
Various interpretations of griffin photographs
Likewise, the geographical unfold of griffin artwork all through historical past doesn’t match the state of affairs of griffin traditions starting with Central Asian excavations after which spreading westward. There are additionally no unambiguous references to Protoceratops Excavations in historical literature.
Protoceratops The griffin solely resembles a quadruped with a beak. There are not any particulars in griffin artwork to counsel that its fossils have been a reference, however quite the opposite, many griffins have been clearly composed of options of residing cats and birds.
Dr Wheaton added: “Every thing concerning the origins of griffins is in keeping with their conventional interpretation as fantastical beasts, simply as their complete look is defined by them being fantastical creatures of massive cats and birds of prey. Evoking the position of dinosaurs in griffin heritage, particularly Classify From distant lands like ProtoceratopsNot solely does it introduce pointless complexities and contradictions into its origins, but it surely additionally depends on interpretations and ideas that don’t stand as much as scrutiny.
The authors are cautious to emphasize that there’s wonderful proof that fossils are culturally essential all through human historical past, and numerous cases of fossils inspiring folklore all over the world, that are known as “geological myths.”
Richard Hennig stated: “It is very important distinguish between fossil folklore that has a factual foundation – that’s, connections between fossils and delusion which might be substantiated by archaeological finds or convincing references in literature and art work – and speculative associations based mostly on instinct.
“There may be nothing inherently flawed with the concept historical peoples discovered dinosaur bones and included them of their myths, however we have to floor such proposals within the info of historical past, geography and paleontology. In any other case they’re mere hypothesis.”
Dr Whitton added: “Not all legendary creatures require explanations by way of fossils. A few of the hottest geological myths – Protoceratops “Tales about griffins, fossil elephants, giants, dragons, and dinosaurs—they aren’t based mostly on any proof, they’re simply hypothesis. We promote these tales as a result of they’re thrilling and intuitively believable, however doing so ignores our rising data of fossil geomyths based mostly on info and proof. These geomyths are as attention-grabbing as their speculative counterparts, and maybe deserve extra consideration than geomythical eventualities which might be based mostly on mere hypothesis.”
Reference: “Did the Horned Dinosaur Protoceratops Encourage the Griffin?” by Mark B. Whitton and Richard A. Henge, June 19, 2024, Interdisciplinary Science Evaluations.
doi: 10.1177/03080188241255543
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