Chapter 10

The Ica stones
The stones of Ica include approximately 11,000 engraved relics. They are said to have been found in a dried-up river bed on the Nazca plain. Other objects, as well as thousands of scurrilous clay figures, are said to have been discovered in a secret subterranean tunnel. The motifs show fable beings of all types, unknown landscapes, operations and especially dinosaurs. The collection has attracted attention far beyond the borders of Peru, even though scientists strongly doubt that the pieces are genuine. Dr. Javier Cabrera sheltered the artefacts in his private museum. When he died in 2002, he took the secret of the controversial collection to his grave. The necessary reliable examination is very difficult, since local artists have been producing masses of false engraved stones for decades.

“Ralph”, the unknown creature
In 1990, American Frank Pryor made a macabre find in Oklahoma, USA. He discovered this skeleton. He was unable to assign it to a particular animal, and took it home. Fourteen examinations at American universities followed, with confusing results. Despite laboratory tests and DNA analyses, no clear zoological assignment was possible. Austrian anthropologists and forensic medical experts are convinced: judging by the dental structure, it is most likely a calf. Anatomists, however, claim that the bone fragments are part of a two-legged creature. In this connection, unusual observations have been made in the area where the skeleton was found. Descriptions are reminiscent of the cryptic animal Chupacabra. This fable creature is a firm part of Latin American folklore. However, in Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida and Mexico, there are growing numbers of reports on encounters with the unknown creature.

The Acambaro figures and an Anasazi vase with dinosaur motif
Acambaro lies to the north-west of Mexico City. Innumerable scurrilous clay figures and everyday objects have been found here since 1944. Their origins are controversial. Datings of their age point far back into prehistory. The meaning of their motifs is unclear as well. They often show unknown races of humans and dinosaur-like creatures. Archaeologists are sceptical. It seems just too fantastic. Could humans and dinosaurs share a part of time? How else did these creatures find their way into the art of ancient cultures? - The depiction of dragons is known with many peoples. A particularly impressive example is the vase from the North American Anasazi culture.