From ancient times to present day, humans have been fascinated by sea monster myths, which reveal a lot about our mentality and history. Even today, the mysteries of the deep sea continue to inspire legends and stories.
In 2005, a group of Japanese marine biologists finally captured footage of a giant squid after multiple failed attempts. The creature had inspired many stories throughout history and its existence was once a topic of debate.
In 2008, a strange creature washed up on the beach and was dubbed the Montauk Monster, causing a sensation around the world. However, it was likely just a dead pig that had washed up on the shore.
The Kraken, a legendary sea monster known for its massive size and tentacles, has roots in actual encounters by whalers. However, the legends have been embellished over time to a creature that is a mile and a half wide with legs as large as a sailing mast.
The 1500s were a time when early mapmakers decorated their sea maps with sea monsters as a way to rewrite history books. It wasn't until they observed and wrote about real sea creatures that they began to create more accurate maps.