'Siberian Unicorn' lived alongside humans

[Still Waters]

With a huge horn rising several feet from the top of their skulls, it is easy to see how their fossilised remains could have been mistaken for the skeletons of the now mythical unicorns.

But it seems a giant species of rhinoceros, thought to have died out in Siberia 350,000 years ago may have actually clung on long enough to really enter into human legend.

Scientists claim to have discovered evidence the giant Elasmotherium sibiricum, or Siberian Unicorn as it is known locally, may have survived in part of Kazakhstan until 26,000 years ago.

http://www.dailymail...s_campaign=1490

[PersonFromPorlock]

The simpler explanation for the unicorn legend is that Greeks describing an Indian Rhinoceros to the folks back home said it looked like "a hippopotamus with a horn." Since hippopotamus is literally "river horse" in Greek, It's not hard to see how, when the description was passed on to those who didn't know what a hippo was, it got shortened to "a horse with a horn."

At least, that's my theory.

[paperdyer]

Maybe the modern horse came from this animal.

[Harte]

Maybe the modern horse came from this animal.

Nah.

Various types of horses have been around for millions and millions of years.

This animal is a type of rhinoceros, according to it's classification.

Harte

[Galactic Goatman]

Maybe the modern horse came from this animal.

Uh, horses did not evolve from rhinos.

[Harte]

What?

Have you never heard the cry "Rhino Silver! Away!"

Harte

[Nnicolette]

I have always felt like many mythical creatures are simply recently extinct but actual, this kinda confirms that. Being this recent though makes me wonder if its possible that there are still a couple hanging on somewhere. Maybe in kim jongs bunker lol.

[David Thomson]

If this animal tells us anything about climate change, it is that Siberia was warm enough to supply the food to feed these beasts, along with all the mammoths, sabertoothed tigers, giant sloths, and numerous other giant beasts that roamed the area. The Earth had to be much warmer then than it is, today.

[Podo]

It's an interesting theory, and entirely possible, I'd think. Something that big would have been feared and respected by early humans, and could have easily passed into the oral histories of the tribal people of the age.

[BeastieRunner]

Great find and theory.

[morphiouse1]

surely with such a horn it must have been as aggressive as a rhino

[Twin]

to prove the Bible wrong, many quote:

Job 39:9-12King James Version (KJV)

9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

[jpjoe]

If this animal tells us anything about climate change, it is that Siberia was warm enough to supply the food to feed these beasts, along with all the mammoths, sabertoothed tigers, giant sloths, and numerous other giant beasts that roamed the area. The Earth had to be much warmer then than it is, today.

This has always been the consensus. But gradual glacial cycle =/= abrupt athropogenic causes.

[Harte]

If this animal tells us anything about climate change, it is that Siberia was warm enough to supply the food to feed these beasts, along with all the mammoths, sabertoothed tigers, giant sloths, and numerous other giant beasts that roamed the area. The Earth had to be much warmer then than it is, today.

Mammoths and Smilodons (and several other large cats, bears, etc.) were adapted for the cold - they carried thick fur.

No extinct ground sloths lived anywhere near Siberia at any time.

The giant beasts you refer to weren't Siberian either, for the large part.

Climate change is what killed most of them. It wasn't getting colder but warmer.

Harte

[jpjoe]

... The Earth had to be much warmer then than it is, today.

... It wasn't getting colder but warmer.

Just so nobody gets confused about what we're comparing.

https://en.wikipedia...palaeotemps.svg

Elasmotherium = 2.6Ma to 26ka (late Pilocene to late Pleistocene)

Edited March 25, 2016 by jpjoe

[+DieChecker]

I think it is actually very likely these animals lived right up to modern times. The picture of the Elasmotherium matches very well with the ancient description of the Persian Unicorn, and where it supposedly held out last was right next to the area of ancient Persia.

[H132]

to prove the Bible wrong, many quote:

Job 39:9-12King James Version (KJV)

9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

As well as...

Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn.

Numbers 24:8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.

Psalm 29:6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

Psalm 92:10 But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.

[TripGun]

Wishmonster!!!!