July 20, 2013

Google Logo Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAm

The Teeth of the Moon Wolf

By David Bressan

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

July 20, 1969 marks the landing of "the Eagle" on the moon - and despite the crew didn´t encounter any moon-monsters, there is in fact some Silly Science between the moon and fossil beasts.

According to an ancient Norse myth Mánagarmr, or Hati (translated into "the enemy"), was a terrifying wolf, born from the unholy union of the giantess Angrboda with the demonic Fenris. Like his father, Mánagarmr hates all living things and feasting on the flesh of the death, every night tries to swallow the moon - to bring eternal darkness and winter above the human world. But until this day he never succeeded to swallow the entire moon, but only pieces - losing at every bite some teeth, falling from the sky the teeth can be found on the ground of earth.

Austrian paleontologist Othenio Abel (1875 - 1946) retold this story in his collection of myths dealing with fossils and adds this image, arguing that the supposed teeth of the moon wolf are in fact fossil shark teeth.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Fig.1. "In earlier times the many sculptures on the columns in Romanesque churches of Germany have been considered nothing more than products of imagination. Today we know that these sculptures possess a deeper meaning and express mythological ideas of our ancestors. This column (according to E. Jung, 1922) in the church of Berchtesgaden depicts the moon wolf Mánagarmr. The triangular shape of the teeth of this abomination is strikingly reminiscent of the triangular shape of Carcharodon - teeth, to nothing other animal, known by our ancestors, can it be compared." (from ABEL 1939, 208, image in public domain).

Bibliography:

ABEL O. (1939): Vorzeitliche Tierreste im Deutschen Mythus, Brauchtum und Volksglauben. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena: 304

ABEL, O. (1923): Die vorweltlichen Tiere in Märchen, Sage und Aberglauben. Braun Verlag, Karlsruhe: 66

My name is David Bressan and I'm a freelance geologist working mainly in the Austroalpine crystalline rocks and the South Alpine Palaeozoic and Mesozoic cover-sediments in the Eastern Alps. I graduated with a project on Rock Glaciers dynamics and hydrology, this phase left a special interest for quaternary deposits and modern glacial environments. During my research on glaciers, studying old maps, photography and reports on the former extent of these features, I became interested in history, especially the development of geomorphologic and geological concepts by naturalists and geologists. Living in one of the key area for the history of geology, I combine field trips with the historic research done in these regions, accompanied by historic maps and depictions. I discuss broadly also general geological concepts, especially in glaciology, seismology, volcanology, palaeontology and the relationship of society and geology.

More by David Bressan

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe