This week's Friday fossil is Samotherium.

Samotherium is an ancient Giraffe. It's skull is two feet long, with two horns, and it's thigh bones are twice as big as a human's. These are its milk teeth, believe it or not,

Impressive, but that's not why I've featured it. The reason why it's featured is because it's possible that the famous skull of Samotherium may have provided the inspiration for the at least one version of the legend of the Griffin, according to Adrienne Mayor.

I won't say any more, but if you are intrigued enough, perhaps you should read her book. It's certainly good fun, even though I'm not so convinced by some of the examples she provides.