Rock paintings reveal extinct species in southern Africa

Scientists have discovered rock paintings in southern Africa that likely depict an extinct animal species. They compared the paintings with fossils to reach this conclusion.

Scientists report in the journal PLOS ONE that rock paintings from the 19th century in southern Africa depict an extinct animal species. Archaeological work has identified drawings created by the San people depicting numerous animals and artifacts. Researchers compared these drawings with animal fossils found in the region.

One of the drawings portrays an animal with a long body and downward-facing tusks. No animal currently living in this region matches this depiction.

- The paintings were created no later than 1835, which means this depiction of a dicynodont predates the scientific description by Richard Owen in 1845 by at least 10 years - says Julien Benoit from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

The region is known for its numerous fossils, including those of an animal with long tusks known as dicynodont. Dicynodonts became extinct long before the appearance of dinosaurs, and their fossils are often found in eroding rocks. Benoit is also familiar with the mythology of the San people, which includes stories of large animals that once lived in the area and later became extinct.

Archaeological evidence suggests that members of the San people might have collected fossils and used them in their craftsmanship. However, this aspect of their culture is not well documented.