On the top left is a beautiful mosaic (also shown on page 1) that was one of the wonders of the second century world. Called the Nile Mosaic of Palestrina, it depicts Nile scenes from Egypt all the way to Ethiopia.
I came across the mosaic in a book called the "Light of the Past", combing through books in an old bookstore. I had never even heard of the Nile Mosaic at Palestrina.
Since I posted it on my own old site, along with two others from the same book, I've seen it on several other sites.
My philosophy is and was that old art books might be a good place to find these types of anomalies because it appears that they have been weeded out of newer materials. It is still very difficult to find an image of the mosaic anywhere on the internet. Thanks to Genesis Park for pointing out that the warriors were likely Ethiopians rather than Egyptians as I had initially stated.
Scholars now believe this is the work of Demetrius the Topographer, an artist from Alexandria who came to work in Rome. The top portion of this remarkable piece of art is generally believed to depict African animals being hunted by black-skinned warriors.
These "Ethiopians" are pursuing what appears to be some type of dinosaur. The Greek Letters embedded in the mosaic above the reptilian animal in question are: KROKODILOPARDALIS which is literally translated Crocodile-Leopard.
The picture shown here is only a small portion of the massive mosaic. It also contains clear depictions of known animals, including Egyptian crocodiles and hippos. (Finley, The Light of the Past, 1965, p. 93.) The photo on the right highlights a crocodile on the mosaic (some had suggested the dino was just a badly drawn croc).
The Rhamphorhynchoid Pterosaur Scaphognathus crassirostris: A "Living Fossil" Until the 17th Century
Here are a few excerpts from an excellent article by John Goertzen, M.S,.on a type of Pterasaur which flourished until the 17th century. The author presents conclusive evidence; through accurate historical descriptions, literature, ancient coins, seals and ancient drawings which indicate that this particular dinosaur, and others were actual living entities.
Author: John Goertzen Subject: Dinosaurs
"There is evidence that pterosaurs may have flown the skies a couple thousand years ago. There are numerous depictions precise enough to identify the pterosaur species, Scaphognathus crassirostris, from several cultures of antiquity. Since that species is the only long-tailed species with a head crest, it is readily identified. Written accounts provide additional information about the ecological niche of these animals and (for Luther and the scientists Alpin) details that are consistent with the pictorial iconography.
......... The S. is easily identified since it is the only long tailed pterosaur with a head crest. Both fossils, currently known, were found in the Solnhofen limestone in southern Germany and display a skeletal head crest. Because the S. is the only rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur with a head crest, ancient artifacts enable us to tell what the soft tissue of the head crest looked like and identify ancient S. representations with a high degree of confidence.
...The remarkable thing about this animal is that it was depicted in several cultures of antiquity. Artifacts identified with this interesting pterosaur species include Roman-Alexandrian coins, an Arabia-Philistia coin, a French wood carving, a German statue and coin, several Middle Ages picture maps, and an enlightening sketch of a mounted animal in Rome by the scientists Meier-shown here on the right.
A dragon was said to live in the wetlands near Rome in December, 1691. The animal lived in a cave and terrorized the local population. A sketch of the skeleton has survived in the possession of Ingegniero Cornelio Meyer. The most remarkable thing about the animal is the clear head crest and the dual piece of skin from the crest.
Five digits were clearly visible for each foot, of the proper length and with the first shorter and offset from the rest as is proper for the S.. The upper arm bone can be seen at the front of the wing as well as the hint of the prototagium (in front of the lighter colored upper arm of the near wing).
There is a hint of a wing claw on the far wing where it curves forward. The tail vane is not visible, however that is not a skeletal feature and the dermal layer does not appear to have been preserved there......"
The fuller fasinating article and additional artifacts can be found at: Scaphognathus crassirostris--Living Fossil Into the 19th Century, By John Goertzen: The Revolution Against Evolution
For more information related to dinosaurs, visit rareresource.com.
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