Squatting (squatter) mantis man: A prehistoric praying mantis petroglyph in Iran

By

Kolnegari, Mahmood
Naserifard, Mohammad
Hazrati, Mandana
Shelomi, Matan

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020-3-13

Original Publication

Journal of orthoptera research : JOR

Volume

29

Series / Issue

Issue: 1

Pages

41--44

Subjects

Archaeology , cultural entomology , Mantodea , paleoart , rock art

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Philadelphia, Penn Orthopterists' Society 1992-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jor.29.39400

 

Abstract

A 14-cm motif of a six-legged creature with raptorial forearms was discovered in the Teymareh rock art site in central Iran (Markazi Province) during a 2017 and 2018 survey of petroglyphs or prehistoric stone engravings. In order to identify it, entomologists and archaeologists compared the motif to local insects and to similar motifs and geometric rock art from around the world. The inspected motif resembles a well-known ”squatter man” motif based on aurora phenomena and found all over the world, combined with a praying mantid (Mantodea), probably a local species ofEmpusa.The petroglyph proves that praying mantids have been astounding and inspiring humans since prehistoric times.