Coexistence of Dinosaurs and Humans In this paper I will give an overview of the co-existence between dinosaurs and humans

from around various regions of the world and how legends of these prehistoric creatures have lived on to tell the tale of these magnificent wonders. This paper will provide evidence from various cultures and anthropologist on how these various cultures have incorporated these ancient animals into their own culture over the course of time. Since the early history of man, there has been widespread legends of dragons on every continent except that of Antarctica. Though most legends are but mere fairytales like that of Santa Clause, mermaids, centaurs, or even unicorns; one legend has surpassed the test of time, dragons. Tales of dragons have been incorporated within many societies from the Chinese to the Greeks and have had tales of these creatures plaguing man for millennia. According to the Greek historian Herodotus who lived approximately 450 B.C., he portrayed these beast not as mammals but rather reptiles with wings. Another historian named Josephus of the 1st century A.D., wrote how Moses and the Israelites encountered hardships trying to pass through a certain region which contained large amounts of flying reptiles. Legends are not always fantasy, but can be actual events which have taken place throughout time and in different places. One example of a legend that has been written by numerous cultures including the Toltecs, Aztecs, Chinese, and even the Babylonians has been a legend of the great flood which demolished all of humankind but that of a few people and animals. This legend is considered to be the Word of God to Christians, where the story of The Genesis Flood is told through the Bible in many verses including (Genesis 6-8; Isaiah 54:9; Matthew 24:36-39; Luke 17:26-27; 1 Peter 3:20). With having some of the oldest historic documents mankind from multiple races from around the world all cooberating the story of the
1

great flood with minimal change in detail, how can a legend of this magnitude not be authentic? Did humans and dinosaurs co-exist with one another, and how can we for sure know? Well during pre-historic times humans did not have the capability to take photographs with cameras, rather they produced carvings and paintings that could be found on pottery, rocks, or even in caves. Cases of humans incorporating dinosaurs into their art and culture has evidence set in stone. One example, is The Stegosaurus of Cambodia which is imbedded among the carved masonry of this worship center. King Jayavarman of the Khmer civilization initiated the construction of a structure that would have a dual purpose as a temple and a monastery. The men conducting studies include French scholar and archaeologist Claude Jacques who has been learning the Angkor and its past for the last 30 years, and Michael Freeman a photographer who has been photographing Southeast Asia for the past 20 years specifically Angkor for 10 years. These two gentlemen are the most qualified to speak on the carving of the Stegosaurus at Ta Prohm and have both authenticated the carving and have several substantial reasons which commendably eliminate the idea of falsification. The patina on the carving is still noticeable, the carving itself is not recessed showing that all is original. There is 40 feet of overburden which must be displaced in order to reach the single carving of the Stegosaurus, along with the recessed stone which is held together by metal staples used in place of mortar. These staples hold together each tier of blocks which require sequence when removing. Are dinosaurs really imaginary creatures like Aliens, mermaids, and unicorns? Among the mentioned the only proof of existence is dinosaur fossils. On the underside of the 3rd

largest natural land bridge in the world has several petroglyphs and pictographs which are estimated to be around 500-1500 years old. These various works are believed to be of the Anasazi Indians. Among the many paintings and carvings located on the Kachina Bridge, there is a noticeable petroglyph of a dinosaur. This particular petroglyph of the dinosaur depicts a small head, wide mid-section, long neck, and a long thick tail which resembled an Apatosaurus or the commonly known Brontosaurus. Once again if dinosaurs did not exist during the time of man, then how could the Anasazi carve or paint these animals with such precision. The Apatosaurus of Southeastern Utah is located 45 miles from the Natural Bridges National Monument, in Blanding. Here two Apatosaurus hip fossils were found and displayed at the Dinosaur Museum. The two hip bones were found in 1960 only 50 miles away from where the petroglyph was located on the bridge giving the possibility that these dinosaurs roamed the area giving the chance to be seen by the Anasazi nearby. Another location nearby is the Havasupai Canyon located in Northern Arizona where a petroglyph was found by renowned paleontologist Charles W. Gilmore. A vertebrae paleontologist, Gilmore discovered tracks that were located in the same area as the petroglyph that was discovered on a particular rock in the canyon. This petroglyph had a height of 11.2 inches, a neck that measured 5.1 inches, and a tail that was 9.1 inches. What was so mesmerizing is that a primitive human depicted this dinosaur erect and stable on its tail on a canyon wall. The argument that Eric Lyons defends is that in fact humans and dinosaurs did coexist at various times around the world. Mr. Lyons provides his case by arguing that if dinosaurs did not exist during the time of man, then how could there be such substantial evidence that
3

suggest otherwise from different parts of the world. Evidence of coexistence is provided by the Stegosaurus that is located in Southeast Asia specifically Cambodia. The Stegosaurus mentioned has been studied by French scholar and archaeologist Claude Jacques who has been learning the Angkor and its past for the last 30 years, and Michael Freeman a photographer who has been photographing Southeast Asia for the past 20 years specifically Angkor for 10 years. Both men are considered the most qualified, and contain the most knowledge about the Angkor and the Stegosaurus. Another form of evidence is that of the petroglyph which was located on the Kachina Bridge is believed to be 500-1500 years old. The dinosaur petroglyph carved into the rock is thought to be an Apatosaurus or better known as a Brontosaurus. Not only was the petroglyph discovered but also roughly 45 miles from where the Natural Bridge National Monument is in Blanding Utah; 2 Apatosaurus hip fossils were located and displayed at the Dinosaur Museum. The final shred of evidence comes from the Havasupai Canyon where a petroglyph was found by renowned paleontologist Charles W. Gilmore. A vertebrae paleontologist, Gilmore discovered tracks that were located in the same area as the petroglyph that was discovered on a particular rock in the canyon. Not only did dinosaurs coexist with humans, but these prehistoric humans were able to depict with such detail and accuracy of the animals that coexisted with them. With all evidence cooberating Mr. Lyons argument of the coexistence of dinosaurs and humans its hard to think otherwise when you have evidence of different cultures from different parts of the world having rock solid proof. From pictographs to petroglyphs, these ancient artifacts tell a story of a time when man and dinosaur existed.

I agree with Mr. Lyons on the coexistence of humans and dinosaurs; because how could prehistoric man depict dinosaurs so well without having the ability to take a picture? Man had to carve, paint, or tell a story immediately of what they had just saw while it was still fresh in their mind. Such detail provided in each image created such a vivid depiction of what prehistoric man saw. Granted its no photograph, but it gives me a sense of what was encountered whether it be a Stegosaurus or Apatosaurus its remarkable regardless. Mr. Lyons evidence that he provides for his argument strongly support his conclusion of the coexistence of dinosaurs and humans. The evidence he delivers provides readers with the ability to view various accounts that support Mr. Lyons; from the Stegosaurus in Cambodia, the Apatosaurus of Southeastern Utah, or the Havasupai Canyon all accounts provide good supporting evidence backing Mr. Lyons case. All articles that Mr. Lyons provides are selective articles that support his beliefs, with no political, personal, or financial agendas behind his argument or conclusion. With the evidence provided from authentic sources and qualified personnel, I do not belie the evidence to be falsifiable because carbon dating or some type of test would have concluded so for the petroglyphs, and the Stegosaurus thats imbedded in the masonry is not recessed but flush with all the other carvings showing no forgery. After reading my selected outside source Dinosaurs in ancient Cambodian Temple by Don Patton, I am further indulged in the fact that dinosaurs and humans did coexist. With the evidence provided from actual high resolution pictures and evidence, I am persuaded that the both coexisted at similar times. The authors central argument is that very similar to Mr. Eric Lyons. That with no such signs of forgery due to the intellectual construction of the temple and the knowing of when the construction took place of the monastery. (1181 A.D.)
5

Patton provides evidence that all patina is intact and is not forged. The carving is not recessed, showing the whole authentic carving. There is also a 40ft overburden which must displace in order to replace the single block of the Stegosaurus. Lastly, all the blocks are held by metal staples which are recessed within the stone which are held together by the next top tier, so access is difficult if not impossible. With the author traveling to Cambodia in order to verify the Stegosaurus, he was at awe authenticating the carving and succeeding by determining it is nearly impossible to falsify the carving with such intricate detail. The authors beliefs of the coexistence is clear and accurate providing more than enough evidence of coexistence. The coexistence of dinosaurs and humans is something I never would have thought. Since the beginning of grade school I always believed that dinosaurs died long before the introduction of humankind. With the author providing such authentic evidence its hard to believe they never existed without humans. Its really amazing that prehistoric humans were able to create such visions in their life. I mean I could never imagine living in the time of dinosaurs, let alone seeing one. I do believe the author provided substantial evidence supporting his argument of their coexistence together.

Bibliography Coexistence of Humans and Dinosaurs Lyons, Eric M. 2007 Historical Support for the Coexistence of Dinosaurs and Humans (Part I). Electronic document. https://http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=743, accessed April 14, 2014.

Lyons, Eric M. and Kyle Butt 2008 Physical Evidence for the Coexistence of Dinosaurs and Humans (Part II). Electronic document. https://http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=2416, accessed April 14, 2014. Patton, Don 2006 Dinosaurs in Ancient Cambodian Temple, [On-line], URL:http://www.bible.ca/tracks/tracks-cambodia.htm, accessed April 14, 2014.