British discoveries are traditionally credited for early dinosaur finds, especially by Robert Plot in the 17th century. However, a study argues African origins, suggesting a dinosaur bone discovery 500 years before Plot.
Africa's Rich Fossil History Challenges Traditional Views
A team in South Africa, studying fossils, uncovered evidence of long-standing African interest in fossils, challenging traditional narratives. Although this might not be surprising given that Homo sapiens is believed to have origfinated in Africa over 300,000 years ago.
The continent boasts diverse rock formations, providing accessible fossil-rich sites like Morocco's Kem Kem beds and the Rift Valley. The inevitability of African people discovering fossils arises from this historical context. Often, local guides, such as the Tuaregs and Mwera, first identify dinosaur fossils, challenging the perception of scientist-led discoveries.
The paper, titled "Indigenous knowledge of palaeontology in Africa," explores indigenous African fossil knowledge, listing long-known fossils and discussing their pre-paleontological interpretation by communities.
Researchers explained that the archaeological site of Bolahla in Lesotho reveals evidence of occupation by the Khoesan and Basotho people from the 12th to 18th centuries. Surrounded by hills with sediments dating back 180 to 200 million years, the site is renowned for yielding Massospondylus carinatus, a long-necked dinosaur.
Notably, in 1990, archaeologists at Bolahla unearthed a fossilized finger bone (phalanx) of Massospondylus, suggesting that someone, perhaps out of curiosity or for ritualistic purposes, transported it to the cave during the Middle Ages. The exact date of collection remains unknown, leaving open the possibility that this dinosaur bone predates Robert Plot's discovery by up to 500 years.
Lesotho, particularly prone to revealing bones after heavy rains, harbors local folklore associating such findings with dragon-like monsters. The Basotho call it "Kholumolumo," while the Xhosa in South Africa's Eastern Cape refer to it as "Amagongqongqo."
This cultural context adds a layer of complexity to the discovery, emphasizing the intertwined history of human occupation and fossil fascination in the region.
Fossil Folklore: Rediscovering Africa's Heritage
Fossils were widely known long before the scientific era or even the term "paleontology" was used, with diverse global examples. In Algeria, dinosaur footprints were associated with the legendary "Roc bird," while North American Anasazi people painted such prints in caves between A.D. 1000 and 1200.
Indigenous Australians linked footprints to a mythical "Emu-man," and the Aztecs presented Hernan Cortes with a mastodon femur in 1519. In Asia, Hindus have worshiped ammonites, known as "Shaligrams," for over 2,000 years.
Although African societies demonstrate fossil knowledge through folklore and archaeology, their use in traditional medicine differs from other regions. Notably, some crucial fossil sites, like the Moroccan Kem Kem beds and South African Unesco Cradle of Humankind caves, lack robust evidence of indigenous knowledge. This gap hampers connections between communities and palaeontologists and poses challenges for heritage preservation.
The exploration of indigenous African palaeontology aims to uncover a forgotten past, giving due credit to local communities. This effort seeks to inspire a new generation of local palaeoscientists, fostering a deeper connection with Africa's rich fossil heritage.
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