Mysterious Creatures : A Guide to Cryptozoology

GIANT HOMINIDS
In this category are humanlike, hairy creatures
that are described as 6 feet 6 inches tall or
greater. Their bipedal gait, appearance, and behavior
indicate a closer relationship to humans
(Hominids) than to the apes (Primates).
The only known fossil that comes close to
giant status is Gigantopithecus, a huge ape first
recognized by Dutch anthropologist G. H. R.
von Koenigswald from a single molar he purchased
in a Hong Kong pharmacy in 1935.
Since then, more than 1,000 other teeth and a
few mandibles have been recovered. There are
two known species, G. blacki of China and Vietnam
and G. giganteus of India. G. giganteus is
older and smaller, dating from the Late
Miocene, 9–6 million years ago. By the time G.
blacki roamed East Asia in the Early and Middle
Pleistocene, 1 million–400,000 years ago, Gigantopithecus
had become extremely robust.
One estimate puts its height at 9–10 feet tall
and its weight at 900–1,200 pounds. However,
no weight-bearing bones have been recovered,
and it is possible that the animal’s teeth and jaws
were disproportionate to its body size.
Another von Koenigswald discovery involved
two large fossil mandibles recovered in Java in
1939 and 1941. Designated Meganthropus
palaeojavanicus, the specimens were described
by German anatomist Franz Weidenreich only
from casts that von Koenigswald made and sent
to Beijing before he was captured and interred
by the Japanese during World War II. A handful
of other fragmentary finds have been included
in this taxon, but there is no consensus
on the creature’s status. Many regard it as belonging
to Homo erectus, though some consider
it pathologically oversized.
Legends of a race of giants are found in many
cultures, making it all the more strange that the
known hominid fossil record is so sparse. The
Cyclops of Greece, Grendel of the Anglo-
Saxons, and the Nefilim in the Book of Genesis
are examples of this rich tradition of ancient giants.
However, many legends were based on the
discovery of fossil elephants and other extinct
megafauna; the ancient Greeks and Romans
tended to identify huge skulls and femurs with
various mythical heroes, even if they were not
194 GIANT HOMINIDS
particularly human-looking. Still, persistent reports
of the discovery of Giant Human Skeletons
have come from both Europe and North
America.
According to the Guinness Book of Records,
the tallest man in medical history was Robert
Pershing Wadlow (1918–1940) of Alton, Illinois,
who measured 8 feet 11.1 inches shortly
before his death. He weighed 491 pounds on his
twenty-first birthday.
Modern Giant hominids have been reported
from every continent except Antarctica. Bigfoo
t of the Pacific Northwest is probably the
most familiar variety. Interestingly, a diverse tradition
of hairy giants also occurs in Siberia, the
logical origination for hominids migrating into
North America.
Tru e G i an ts constitute a subcategory of
Giant hominids 10 feet or more tall.
Mystery Giant Hominids
Africa
Engôt; Gerit; Mulahu; Nanauner; Ndesu;
Ngoloko; Wa’ab
Asia, Central
Dzu-Teh; Jez-Tyrm ak; N yalm o; Rim i
Asia, East
Shān Gui
Asia, Southeast
Kapre; Kung-Lu; Orang Dalam ; O rang
Gadang; Tok
Asia, West
Nart; Nefilim; Torch
Australasia and Oceania
Jogung; Quinkin; Spinifex Man
Central and South America
Curinquéan; Dientudo; Ecuadorean G iant;
Fantasma de los Riscos; Patagonian G iant;
Ucumar
Europe
Afonya; C yclop s; G rendel; G yona Pel;
Tro l l