Giant spider story shrinks, as reported in BBC News, 15 Feb 2005.
A fossil discovered in 1980 in Argentina was claimed to be “the most terrifying spider ever to roam the Earth” and was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest spider, has been rediscovered after it had been locked in vault, out of sight from scientists since 1980. However, when Dr Paul Seldon an expert in arachnids at Manchester University finally got to examine it, he immediately recognised it a sea scorpion – a type of crab. Its eyes, claws and shell were like a mud-dwelling crab, not like any spider.
Fiercesome looking models of the creature, named Megarachne Servinei have been exhibited in museums around the world.
Editorial Comment: The colleague who sent us this story said: “This is one to warm the heart of anyone who thinks palaeontologists are infallible!” However, the real problem was that the specimen was locked away, and not examined. Keep this story in mind when you visit modern day museums that present realistic plastic models as truth. Remember this story when you watch computer generated “wildlife” programmes on TV. Much of what you see is imagination being presented as real evidence.
Many Museums today are better labelled Amuseums. The word ‘Museum’ comes from the word ‘muse’ meaning to think. Amuse means to not think.
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