Rock paintings in South Africa reveal extinct species with tusks

Scientists have found rock paintings in southern Africa that probably depict an extinct animal species. Researchers reached this conclusion by comparing the paintings with fossils.

Scientists report in the journal PLOS ONE that rock paintings from the 19th century in southern Africa have been discovered that depict an extinct animal species. Archaeological work has led to the identification of drawings created by the San people showcasing numerous animals and artefacts. Researchers decided to compare these drawings with fossils of animals found in the region.

One of the drawings depicts an animal with a long body and downward-facing tusks. Currently, no animal living in this area matches such a description.

Julien Benoit from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg says the paintings were made no later than 1835, which means that this depiction of a dicynodont predates Richard Owen's scientific description in 1845 by at least ten years.

The region is known for numerous fossils. Among them are the fossils of an animal with long tusks, known as a dicynodont. Dicynodonts became extinct long before the appearance of dinosaurs, and their fossils are often found in eroding rocks. Benoit has also acquainted himself with the mythology of the San people, which contains stories about large animals that once lived in the area and then went extinct.

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