New paper shows how science can explore the
roots of folklore
Date: November
28, 2017
Source:
University at Buffalo
The Yeti or Abominable Snowman -- a
mysterious, ape-like creature said to inhabit the high mountains of Asia --
looms large in the mythology of Nepal and Tibet.
Sightings have been reported for centuries.
Footprints have been spotted. Stories have been passed down from generation to
generation.
Now, a new DNA study of purported Yeti
samples from museums and private collections is providing insight into the
origins of this Himalayan legend.
The research, which will be published in Proceedings
of the Royal Society B, analyzed nine "Yeti" specimens, including
bone, tooth, skin, hair and fecal samples collected in the Himalayas and
Tibetan Plateau. Of those, one turned out to be from a dog. The other eight
were from Asian black bears, Himalayan brown bears or Tibetan brown bears.
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