Buzz
While fossils like seashells are easily spotted at the beach, identifying fossils of more obscure creatures can be a real challenge. The task is made even harder by the fact that many fossils are incomplete or broken. As a result, it's no surprise that, until better-preserved specimens are found, fossils from extinct species are often confused with entirely different animals. Here are ten such examples of misidentification.
10. Ammonites
Ammonites are fairly common fossils, but they've been misidentified for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks believed they were ram's horns and named them after the Egyptian god Ammon, who was often depicted with such horns. In China, these fossils were called horn stones for a similar reason. In Nepal, they are considered sacred relics left by the god Vishnu. The Vikings viewed them as the petrified offspring of the world serpent, Jormungand. During the Middle Ages in Europe, these fossils were known as snake stones, as they were thought to be the hardened bodies of coiled snakes turned to stone by various Christian saints. Some traders even carved snake heads onto ammonites and sold them as snake stones. Today, however, we know that ammonites are the remains of a shelled squid-like creature that lived from around four hundred million years ago until the extinction of the dinosaurs. Although rarer than the shell remains, more complete fossils reveal the imprints of protruding tentacles and a vague head, similar to that of the modern nautilus.
9. Fish Teeth
Fossilized fish teeth have been interpreted in various ways over the centuries. Some ancient fish possessed strong, flat molar teeth designed to crush shellfish. In ancient Greece and later throughout much of Europe, these fossilized teeth were thought to be magical jewels, often referred to as toadstones, inspired by the belief that gems were embedded in the heads of large toads. These 'stones' were used in jewelry and believed to cure conditions like epilepsy and poisoning. In Japan, the sharp and flat teeth of ancient sharks were believed to be the discarded fingernails of a fearsome monster known as the tengu. In Europe, shark teeth were thought to be hardened tongues of the devil. It wasn't until the seventeenth century when the anatomist Steno demonstrated, through public dissection, that these so-called 'tongue stones' were actually the teeth of sharks. This revelation led to the understanding that fossils were not spontaneously generated but were the remnants of long-dead animals.
8. Trees
Lepidodendron was an ancient plant resembling a tree, with bark resembling the texture of a pine cone, covered in large flat scales. These scales were actually leaf scars in the shape of diamonds. The leaves themselves were grass-like blades, and Lepidodendron was more closely related to a herb than a true tree. The remains of these plants contribute significantly to Europe’s coal reserves. However, the fossils of Lepidodendron can be quite spectacular. The tree trunks, often fossilized in their entirety, could grow up to thirty meters tall and one meter wide. In the nineteenth century, these fossils were often displayed at fairgrounds, where people were charged a small fee to witness them and hear fantastical stories about the supposed serpent or dragon they were believed to be, often involving Christian saints. More complete fossils, however, show the whole plant, including the trunk, branches, roots, leaves, and occasionally reproductive cones and spores, confirming it was a large plant, not the remains of a mythical creature.
7. Foraminifera
On the Pacific beaches of southern Japan, one might notice ordinary-looking grains of sand that, upon closer inspection, appear to be tiny stars, measuring less than a millimeter across. Local legends tell that these are the remains of the unfortunate children from a celestial union of two stars. According to the myth, these children either fell to Earth or were killed by a monstrous sea serpent near Okinawa. Their fragile skeletons, the only traces of their existence, wash ashore. In reality, these 'stars' are actually the remains of foraminifera, a type of amoeba-like organism. These single-celled creatures build protective shells for themselves, and when they die, their intricate, spiky shells remain. Under a microscope, these shells reveal a structure with tiny chambers and delicate details.
6. Protoceratops
Protoceratops was a dinosaur related to the more well-known triceratops. It moved on four legs and was about the size of a large dog, though considerably heavier. One of its most notable features was its large skull, which had a bird-like beak and a bony frill extending from the back of the skull around its shoulders. Protoceratops lived in large herds, leaving behind a large number of fossils. To those unfamiliar with dinosaurs, these numerous skeletons seemed like strange and mythical creatures. Due to their size, they were often mistaken for small lions. However, the distinctive skull led to the image of a lion with a hooked eagle-like beak. The front feet of protoceratops resembled claws more than lion paws, and this led to the interpretation of its skeleton as that of a griffin: a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head and front legs of a giant eagle. According to legend, griffins were man-eating lions with the head and front legs of an eagle. It’s believed that these legends may have been inspired by the fossils of protoceratops rather than merely being reinforced by them.
5. Belemnites
Belemnites were ancient creatures that resembled squid. Unlike squid, they had ten arms of equal length, each covered in small hooks. The most distinctive feature of belemnites was their skeleton. These creatures lived in the seas alongside dinosaurs. The most commonly found fossils were their cylindrical, pointed bodies, but lacked softer features like tentacles. The fossils are long and bullet-shaped. In Europe, people believed these fossils were thunderbolts – objects hurled from the heavens that created thunder as they struck the ground. They were associated with thunder gods and were called thunder arrows or thunderstones. Many kept them in their homes, believing they could protect against lightning strikes. Others believed belemnites originated from elves rather than gods, calling them elf fingers, fairy candles, or pixie bolts. These fossils were also used in various superstitious remedies, including treating snake bites and headaches by tying them to the affected area while chanting incantations.
4. Anchisaurus
Anchisaurus was an early dinosaur species. It was herbivorous, characterized by its long neck and tail, and belonged to the same family as apatosaurus and diplodocus. This species was notably smaller than its larger relatives, growing to just over 2 meters in length. It evolved from ancestors that walked on two legs, and though it could walk on all fours, it was not fully quadrupedal. Its front legs were better suited for walking, but it could also use them as makeshift hands while rising on its hind legs when necessary. The discovery of Anchisaurus is historically significant due to the initial misconception about its nature. Initially, it was believed to be human due to its approximate size, long neck, tail, reptilian skull, and lizard-like pelvis. Only after more fossils were discovered did the term 'dinosaur' come into use, and the realization that these bones were from a reptile began to take hold. The fact that these fossils were once mistakenly identified as human is a testament to the extent of human error and self-delusion.
3. Hominids
Our numerous ancestors and relatives have left behind fossils scattered across the globe. In the early stages of human evolution theory, these fossils were often misunderstood. Those found in Europe and the Americas were frequently interpreted as evidence of mythical creatures described in the Bible, like giants or demons. Some even claimed they were modern apes, despite their clear differences from any living species. Others suggested that the hominid skeletons belonged to 'lesser' humans, a term used to exclude those making the claims. In modern times, some have even suggested that hominid fossils were the remains of aliens rather than mythical creatures. The discovery of hominid fossils in Asia may have played a role in shaping the legend of the yeti, with some suggesting that the creatures of the legends were not inspired by fossils but rather living beings who coexisted with early humans.
2. Sea Urchins
Sea urchins are spiny, spherical marine animals commonly found along coastlines. They belong to a group called echinodermata, which translates to 'spiny skin' from ancient Greek. These creatures have existed for hundreds of millions of years, and their ancient predecessors have left behind a wealth of fossils. Although similar to modern sea urchins, these fossils were often misidentified in the past. In England, they were thought to be supernatural crowns, fairy bread loaves, or magical snake eggs. In Denmark, they were believed to be thunderstones, thought to sweat before storms, helping predict bad weather. The five lines often found on sea urchins were considered lucky in India, where they were kept as charms to bring good fortune. The various magical properties attributed to sea urchins reflect how different cultures interpreted them, with beliefs that they could cure snake venom, aid in bread baking, protect against storms, and bring blessings.
1. Mastodons and Mammoths
Until just a few thousand years ago, massive mastodons and mammoths wandered the frigid earth. These creatures closely resembled modern elephants but were covered in thick fur and had tusks that could span several meters. Their extinction was caused by a combination of climate change, overhunting, and a mass extinction event. Like today's elephants, these ancient giants had an exceptionally muscular trunk, containing more muscle than the rest of their body combined. The trunk itself is the closest thing any land animal has evolved to a tentacle, capable of delicate precision as well as immense strength. The complexity of the trunk’s muscle structure requires a large area for attachment, leading to a large hole in the front of the skull. This feature is also visible in the skulls of modern elephants. While people who live near elephants may be familiar with this, the discovery of such an enormous fossilized skull with a massive hole at the front often leads to the image of a giant human with a single, giant eye socket. This likely inspired the myth of the Cyclops, which is believed to have originated from the skulls of mastodons and mammoths found outside Africa.
