A 200-year-old rock painting discovered in the Karoo Basin of South Africa is believed to illustrate an extinct tusked creature, potentially inspired by dicynodont fossils.
Archaeologists are intrigued by the striking depiction on the rock wall, questioning whether it represents a mythical being or a species that vanished long before humans appeared. Recent research suggests that the artwork is a unique representation likely influenced by ancient herbivores known as dicynodonts.
This finding prompts curiosity about the fossil knowledge possessed by the San people, who have inhabited the region for centuries. The paintings, believed to have been created between 1821 and 1835, showcase a long-bodied animal with distinctive downward-turned tusks.
Researcher Julien Benoit emphasized that the depiction reflects physical reality, with dicynodont fossils serving as inspiration. Benoit’s study indicates that these creatures were prevalent in the Karoo Basin and connects the artwork to a local San myth about large, now-extinct animals that once roamed southern Africa.
Additionally, researchers noted that the San people had the ability to identify prehistoric fossils and transport them over considerable distances. According to Benoit, the San folklore includes accounts of encounters with “great monstrous brutes, exceeding the elephant or hippopotamus in bulk,” further illustrating their deep connection to the region’s ancient past.
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