Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Rewriting the myth: experts doubt griffin was inspired by dinosaurs

Dinosaur Asia
A griffin
The mythical griffin has an eagle’s head and wings and a lion’s body. Photograph: Mark P Witton/University of Portsmouth/PA

From the fearsome, clawed creatures of Greek mythology to the dancing animal Alice met in Wonderland, the legendary griffin has a long and colourful history.

But now experts say it is time to rewrite the fantastical beast’s backstory, arguing there is little evidence for the popular idea that the creature was inspired by dinosaur fossils in central Asia.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Man says his fiancée doesn’t think what he did was technically cheating, but she still ended their 4-year relationship
Two calls reportedly ended it all.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
That Dryer Sheet in Your Mailbox Isn’t Trash — Here’s Why It May Be There
A dryer sheet tucked inside a mailbox can look like a piece of laundry that took a wrong turn. Yet someone may have placed it there deliberately, hoping to discourage insects, spiders, or other unwanted visitors. The idea circulates widely among homeowners, but the explanation deserves a closer look.
Clever Dude
Clever Dude
Wisconsin’s House on the Rock is unlike a typical museum. Here are the strange sights waiting inside
House on the Rock in Wisconsin features an unusual collection of giant installations and mechanical displays. Visitors can explore a notable indoor carousel that showcases intricate craftsmanship and detail without the option to ride. The attraction also includes an Infinity Room that stretches dramatically over the valley, enhancing the viewing…
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Christian Man Has Bizarre Meltdown After Neighbor’s Halloween Decoration Scares Toddler
“Christian conservatives, we gotta get one thing clear. You can do what you want, but you gotta stop demanding everyone else to change,” a netizen said.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
He Ate, Slept and Hid Inside Disneyland — Here’s How He Got Caught
Disneyland has spent decades selling the fantasy of escaping ordinary life for a day. One man took the idea of staying longer much too far. Stories about people hiding inside the park after closing have fueled a particular kind of Disney legend: empty streets, forbidden corners, and the possibility of…
Clever Dude
Clever Dude
Man leaves Nestlé cream out all night. Then he shows what hasn’t changed: ‘that should have done something’
Something feels off here.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play