The discovery of a 200-year-old rock painting in South Africa depicts a horned serpent, suggesting this mythical creature may have a basis in reality through ancient fossils.
Researcher Julien Benoit suggests that the San legend of the horned serpent, a 'rain animal' involved in rain-making ceremonies, could be rooted in real dicynodont fossils.
Benoit believes the San likely painted the horned serpent after encountering dicynodont fossils, which match their legend of 'great monstrous brutes' larger than elephants.
This rock art expands our understanding of indigenous cultures, indicating their connection to the environment and how ancient legends may stem from real prehistoric creatures.
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