The mythical griffin was not inspired by a horned dinosaur, study concludes

A new study, published in the journal *Historical Biology*, suggests that the mythical griffin, a creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, was not inspired by a horned dinosaur. The study's authors, a team of paleontologists and archaeologists, examined archaeological evidence and historical texts to determine the origin of the griffin myth. Their findings indicate that the griffin likely originated in the ancient world, specifically in the region of Scythia (modern-day Ukraine and southern Russia). This conclusion is based on several factors, including the discovery of griffin imagery on Scythian artifacts dating back to the 7th century BC. The study also notes that the griffin myth was popularized by Greek writers and artists, who described it as a powerful and fierce creature that guarded treasures. The study's authors emphasize that the griffin myth should not be seen as a reflection of actual paleontological knowledge. They argue that the griffin myth was likely a product of cultural imagination and was not based on the observation of any real animal. The study also debunks the popular theory that the griffin was inspired by fossil remains of Protoceratops, a horned dinosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period. This theory was popularized by the paleontologist Roy Chapman Andrews in the early 20th century. The study's authors argue that there is no evidence to support Andrews's claim. They point out that Protoceratops fossils were not discovered until the 1920s, long after the griffin myth was established. Furthermore, the study argues that the griffin myth is more consistent with the cultural context of ancient Scythia, where the lion and the eagle were both important symbols. The study concludes that the griffin myth was a product of cultural imagination, not paleontological observation. The authors suggest that the myth was likely inspired by a combination of factors, including the animals that were common in the region where the myth originated, the cultural significance of these animals, and the desire to create a powerful and fearsome creature.

Summary

"A new study suggests that the griffin myth originated in Scythia, not from horned dinosaur fossils as previously thought. The griffin likely resulted from cultural imagination and symbolic representations, rather than paleontological observation."