Did dinosaurs live alongside humans within the past 10,000 years? Human footprints alongside dinosaur tracks at Paluxy near Glen Rose (Texas) and dinosaur figurines in archaeological contexts at Acambaro (Mexico) are among the evidence suggested to indicate so. Once properly studied, investigations revealed the Paluxy claims to be misinterpreted eroding features and dinosaur tracks, alongside outright hoaxes (Cole and Godfrey 1985; Kuban 1986). The Acambaro figurines were found to be modern manufactures subsequently planted in legitimate archaeological contexts (Di Peso 1953). Regrettably, the misinterpretation of paleontological and archaeological evidence continues (e.g., Butt 2008; Butt and Lyons 2008), requiring new analyses of the evidence and the claims themselves. Fortunately, there has been renewed skeptical attention in recent years, includ- ing effective examinations of ancient art purportedly depicting dinosaurs (e.g., Senter and Cole 2011; Senter 2012; Senter 2013; Le Quellec et al. 2015).
Figure 1. The Ta Prohm carving some contend to represent a stegosaur based largely on the interpretation of dermal plates along the back.
However, an ancient temple carving in Cambodia interpreted by some to represent a stegosaur has received little interest from the skeptical or scientific communities other than limited treatment online (e.g., Switec 2009; Nelstead 2009; Carter 2014; Kuban 2014). Here I will provide some critical thinking and anthropological insights regarding the “stegosaur” of Ta Prohm, including new evidence gained by an inspection of the location and surrounding sites in the Angkor Archaeological Park.