The featured image is a pen and ink drawing done to imagine the life of the famous two headed giant mummy Kap Dwa of South America. A lot of liberty was taken with timelines for the story…but I hope it hooks you enough to go deep into the GIANT rabbit hole.
I have been told that giants are not cryptids on more than one occasion. To this I say boohockey. They exist in legend and lore in every society. They are documented all through history. Their are archaeological findings. They are animals. And yet they are still not proven in the scientific sense. How much more Cryptid can you get.
Giants as cryptids have fascinated cultures and researchers for centuries. Cryptids are creatures whose existence is suggested but not proven by mainstream science. Giants fit into this category due to various legends, folklore, and sporadic archaeological finds that suggest the existence of abnormally large humans or humanoid beings. Here, we will discuss some notable instances and alleged evidence, including the case of Kap Dwa.
Kap Dwa
Kap Dwa is one of the most famous alleged giant cryptids. The story goes that Kap Dwa was a 12-foot-tall, two-headed Patagonian giant supposedly captured by Spanish sailors in the 17th century. According to the legend, the giant was killed and its mummified remains were preserved. These remains have allegedly been displayed in various museums and sideshows over the years. However, the authenticity of Kap Dwa’s remains is highly disputed, with many considering it a hoax or a clever taxidermy creation.
Other Archaeological Finds and Legends
- The Lovelock Cave Giants:
- In Nevada, USA, a cave was discovered containing the remains of what some claim to be giants. The Paiute Native Americans have legends of a race of red-haired giants called the Si-Te-Cah, who were hostile and lived in the area. Excavations in the early 20th century uncovered large skeletal remains and artifacts, but the findings have been subject to debate, with some suggesting they are simply the remains of normal-sized humans.
- The Giant of Castelnau:
- In 1890, Georges Vacher de Lapouge, a French anthropologist, discovered bone fragments in Castelnau-le-Lez, France. The bones, including a humerus, tibia, and femoral midshaft, suggested a human of enormous size, approximately 11 to 15 feet tall. These findings, however, have not been universally accepted and lack extensive peer-reviewed studies.
- The Cardiff Giant:
- This famous hoax from the 19th century involved a 10-foot-tall “petrified man” unearthed in Cardiff, New York. It was later revealed to be a gypsum statue created to trick people and capitalize on the fascination with giants. Despite being a confirmed hoax, the Cardiff Giant remains a significant part of the cultural mythos surrounding giants.
- Giant Footprints:
- Throughout the world, large humanoid footprints have been found, some carved into stone and others appearing naturally. For example, the “Goliath Footprint” in Mpumalanga, South Africa, is a large indentation in granite resembling a human foot, sparking speculation and legends.
Cultural and Mythological Context
Giants appear in the mythology and folklore of many cultures:
- Greek Mythology: The Titans and Gigantes were primordial beings of enormous size and strength.
- Norse Mythology: The Jotnar were giant beings often in conflict with the gods.
- Biblical References: The Nephilim, described in the Book of Genesis, were the offspring of “the sons of God” and human women, often interpreted as giants.
- Native American Legends: Various tribes have stories of giant beings, such as the aforementioned Si-Te-Cah of the Paiute.
Scientific Perspective
Mainstream science requires rigorous evidence to confirm the existence of any creature, and so far, the evidence for giants remains largely anecdotal or fraudulent. Skeletal remains claimed to be those of giants often turn out to be misidentified, hoaxed, or simply exaggerated.
Conclusion
The fascination with giants as cryptids persists, fueled by a combination of historical accounts, archaeological finds, and cultural legends. While mainstream science has not validated the existence of such beings, the stories and alleged evidence continue to capture the imagination of people worldwide, keeping the mystery of giants alive in the realm of cryptozoology.
