Westenholz, G. & R.S. Bianchi. 2004. Dragons, monsters and fabulous beasts. – Jerusalem, Bible Lands Museum

Abstract

The exhibition in Teylers Museum, Haarlem (The Netherlands) from 28^th of January to 28^th of May 2006, called ‘Dino’s en draken’ (Dutch for ‘Dinosaurs and dragons’; see Mayor et al., 2006), gives a nice extension for this book called ‘Dragons, monsters and fabulous beasts’. Westenholz & Bianchi are the authors of the book, which is published in combination with an exhibition at the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem in 2004. It should be regarded as a catalogue with background information for items that were on display at that exhibition. Given the fact that multiple exhibitions of somewhat the same nature are currently closely following each other in various museums around the world, the subject of this book is very much alive at the moment and can rely on much interest.

The suggestion by Mayor (2000) that the feared griffin was based on the docile, herbivorous dinosaur Protoceratops might have sparked the current peak in interest. Possibly because of this, more people became interested in the relationship between mythical and prehistoric animals, and more relationships were found, e.g. the Titan and mastodon. Read more...