Rewriting the myth: experts doubt griffin was inspired by dinosaurs

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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. “The whole idea is conjecture and speculation,” said the artist and palaeontologist Dr Mark Witton of the University of Portsmouth. Griffins have the head and wings of an eagle on the body of a lion. The oldest depictions arise in art from...