Contrary To Popular Claims, Mythical Griffins Were Not Inspired By Dinosaur Fossils

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According to a popular and widespread belief, the mythical griffin – that eagle-faced, winged lion monster – was inspired by dinosaur fossils discovered by ancient peoples. But new analysis suggests this may not have been the case. Advertisement Advertisement Griffins (sometimes spelled "griffon" or "gryphon") are among the oldest known mythological creatures. They are a composite creature made up of elements of different animals, which first appeared in Egyptian and Middle Eastern art during the fourth millennium BCE. This is long before they became popular in ancient Greek culture during the eighth century BCE. Advertisement Advertisement The link between dinosaur...