Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
Supporting Information for:
Cavemen were better at depicting quadruped walking than
modern artists: Erroneous quadruped walking illustrations
in the fine arts from prehistory to today
Gábor Horváth1,*, Etelka Farkas, Ildikó Boncz, Miklós Blahó, György Kriska
1: Department of Biological Physics, Physical Institute, Eotvos University, Budapest,
Hungary
*corresponding author, e-mail address: gh@arago.elte.hu
Gábor HORVÁTH, Etelka FARKAS, Ildikó BONCZ, Miklós BLAHÓ, György KRISKA
(2012) Cavemen were better at depicting quadruped walking than modern artists:
Erroneous walking illustrations in the fine arts from prehistory to today. Public Library
of Science ONE (PLoS ONE) 7(12): e49786. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0049786 + supporting
information
This file includes:
A. Detailed analysis of prehistoric quadruped walking illustrations and Supplementary
Figures S1S35 with legends
B. Supplementary Tables S1S7 with legends
C. Permission for the use of the colour picture in Figure 2
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
A. Detailed Analysis of Prehistoric Quadruped Walking Illustrations
In this section all figures were drawn by the authors as contours of different walking
quadruped animals copied from pictures taken about various prehistoric quadruped
illustrations. The websites of the original colour pictures are given in brackets.
We supposed that the legs RH, LF and RF of the cow in Fig. S1 contact the ground, while the
leg LH is lifted in the air. Assuming that RF is before LF, this picture falls in the cell Gf of the
walking matrix (Fig. 5), which means a correct quadruped walking illustration.
Supplementary Figure S1: Contour of a cow copied from a picture of a prehistoric painting
from Chad. (The original colour picture can be found in the following website:
http://www.bradshawfondation.com). The straight line represents the assumed ground line.
LH: left hind leg, LF: left fore leg, RH: right hind leg, RF: right fore leg.
The lower half of leg RH of the horse in Fig. S2 is not visible, because it has eroded. Thus,
there are two possibilities: (i) All four legs are on the ground, and the picture falls in the cell
Ca of the walking matrix meaning a correct quadruped walking depinction. (ii) The leg RH is
just lifted into the air, representing a correct quadruped walking illustration falling in the cell
Cb of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S2: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a horse found near the river
Draa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draa_River).
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
The bull of Fig. S3 is just lifting its leg RF, while its legs RH, LH and Lf are on the ground.
Thus this picture falls in the cell Da of the walking matrix, meaning an incorrect quadruped
walking illustration.
Supplementary Figure S3: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a bull found near the river
Draa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draa_River).
In Fig. S4 the legs RH and LF of the giraffe are on the ground, while the legs LH and RF are
in the air. This incorrect quadruped walking depiction falls in the cell Fb of the walking
matrix.
Supplementary Figure S4: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a giraffe from Inak
(http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
In Fig. S5 the legs LH and RH of the horse contact the ground, while leg RH is in its lifting
and leg LF is in its falling phase. This correct quadruped walking depiction falls in the cell Bb
of the walking matrix.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S5: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a horse from the French
cave Lascaux (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascaux).
The legs LH and RH of the bull in Fig. S6 are on the ground, leg RH is lifted, and leg LF has
just been put on the ground. This correct quadruped walking illustration falls in the cell Bb of
the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S6: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a bull from the French cave
Lascaux
(http://pittkyle123.wordpress.com/2011/02/15/cave-paintings-30000-years-ago).
In the case of the elephant in Fig. S7 there are three possibilities, depending on the direction
of the assumed ground line: (i) In Fig. S7A the legs LH, RH and RF are on the ground, and
leg LF is in its falling phase. (ii) In Fig. S7B the leg LF is just lifted, while legs RH, RF and
LF are on the ground. (iii) In Fig. S7C legs RH and RF contact the ground, leg LH is lifted,
and leg LF has just been put onto the ground. Thus, in case (i), (ii) and (iii) this quadruped
walking depiction falls in the cell Be, Cf and Bf of the walking matrix, respectively, all being
incorrect.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S7: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of an elephant from the Libian
Tadrart Acacus (http://www.galuzzi.it).
The legs LH and RF of the cow in Fig. S8 are on the ground, and the leg LF in its falling
phase. There are two possibilities for the attitude of leg RH: (i) If RH is just lifted, the picture
falls in the cell Bb of the walking matrix, meaning a correct quadruped walking depiction. (ii)
If RH is on the ground, the picture belongs to the cell Ba of the walking matrix, being again a
correct quadruped walking illustration.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S8: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a cow from the French cave
Lascaux (http://www.lascaux.culture.fr).
In Fig. S9 the legs RH and RF of the antelope are in contact with the ground, while the leg LH
is in its lifting phase, and leg LF is in its falling phase. Thus this incorrect quadruped walking
depiction falls in the cell Bf of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S9: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of an antelope from the
mountain Drakenberg in Eland (http://www.superstock.com).
The legs LH, RH and RF of the antelope in Fig. S10 are on the ground, while the leg LF is in
the air. This incorrect quadruped walking illustration belongs to the cell Be of the walking
matrix.
Supplementary Figure S10: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of an antelope from the
Drakenberg mountain in Eland (http://www.freewebs.com/maloti/stoneageandbushman.htm).
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
The legs RH and LF of the bull in Fig. S11 are on the ground, and the animal is stepping with
its legs LH and RF. This correct quadruped walking illustration falls in the cell Ff of the
walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S11: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a bull from the mountain
Drakenberg in Eland (http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
In Fig. S12 the legs RH and LF of the bull contact the ground, and the animal is stepping with
its legs LH and RF. This incorrect quadruped walking illustration falls in the cell Fh of the
walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S12: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a bull from the mountain
Drakenberg in Eland (http://www-users.york.ac.uk).
The horse in Fig. S13 is supported by its legs RH and RF, while the animal is stepping with
its legs LH and LF. This incorrect quadruped walking depictions belongs to the cell Bf of the
walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S13: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a horse from the French
cave Lascaux (http://www.lascaux.culture.fr).
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
In Fig. S14 the legs RH and RF of the horse are on the ground, and its legs LF and LH are in
their lifting phase. This incorrect quaruped walking illustration falls in the cell Hf of the
walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S14: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a horse from the French
cave Lascaux (http://www.lascaux.culture.fr).
In Fig. S15 the attitudes of the fore legs of the bull are ambiguous. There exist two different
possibilities: (i) In Fig. S15A legs RH and RF are on the ground, and legs LH and LF are in
falling and lifting phase, respectively. Thus the picture is correct, because it falls in the cell
Hh of the walking matrix. (ii) In Fig. S15B the animal is supported by its legs RH and LF,
while it is stepping with its legs LH and RF. In this case the picture is belongs to the cell Dh
of the walking matrix and is an incorrect quadruped walking depiction.
Supplementary Figure S15: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a bull from the French
cave Lascaux (http://www.lascaux.culture.fr).
The legs RF, LH and RH of the horse in Fig. S16 contact the ground, but the attitude of the
right hind hoof hints that leg RH is just lifted. On the other hand, the leg LF is in its falling
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
phase. This correct quadruped walking illustration belongs to the cell Bb of the walking
matrix.
Supplementary Figure S16: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a horse from the French
cave Lascaux (http://www.lascaux.culture.fr).
Figure S17 shows a horse in a posture when its legs LH, RH and RF on the ground, and the
leg LF is in its falling phase. Then this picture is correct, because it falls in the cell Ba of the
walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S17: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a horse from the French
cave Lascaux (http://www.lascaux.culture.fr).
The support of the horse in Fig. S18 is ensured by the legs LH, RH and RF, while the animal
is stepping with its leg LF. This incorrect picture belongs to the cell Be of the walking matrix.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S18: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a horse from the French
cave Lascaux (http://www.lascaux.culture.fr).
In Fig. S19 in spite of the strange posture of the giraffe it is obvious that the legs LH, RH and
LF support the animal which is stepping with its leg RF. This picture is correct, because it
falls in the cell Fe of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S19: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a giraffe from the Libian
Tadrart Acacus (http://www.ewpnet.com/libySacacus/index.htm).
The deer in Fig. S20 is supported by its legs LH, RH and LF, and the animal is stepping with
its leg RH, being in its falling phase. This correct picture falls in the cell Fe of the walking
matrix.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S20: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a deer from the Spanish
cave Altamira (http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/september-2011/article/savingaltamira-cave).
The elephant in Fig. S21 is stepping with its leg RH, while legs RF, LF and LH give its
support. This incorrect picture belongs to the cell Gd of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S21: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of an elephant from the
Libian Tadrart Acacus (http://www.willgoto.com).
The support of the giraffe in Fig. S22 is ensured by the legs LH and RF, while the leg RH is
in its lifting phase, and the leg LF is in its falling phase. This correct quadruped walking
illustration falls in the cell Bb of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S22: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a giraffe from the Libian
Tadrart Acacus (http://www.flickr.com).
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
The buffalo in Fig. S23 is supported by its legs LH and RF, while its legs RH and LF are in
their lifting phase. This incorrect picture belongs to the cell Hb of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S23: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a buffalo from the Libian
Tadrart Acacus (http://www.arcl.ed.ac.uk).
In Fig. S24 a rhinoceros can be seen, which is supported by the legs LH, RF and LF, while its
leg RH is in lifting phase. The cell of this correct picture in the walking matrix is Cb.
Supplementary Figure S24: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a rhinoceros from the
French cave Niaux (http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
The deer in Fig. S25 is supported by the legs LH, RH and RF, while its leg LF is in falling
phase. This is a correct walking depiction, whose cell in the walking matrix is Ba.
Supplementary Figure S25: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a deer from the Indian
Shamla Hill (http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
In the cow in Fig. S26 the support is ensured by the legs RH and RF. The leg LF is in falling
phase, while the leg LH is in lifting phase. This correct picture belongs to the cell Hh of the
walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S26: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a cow from India
(http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
In Fig. S27 we can see a bull, which is supported by its legs RH and RF. The leg LF is in
lifting phase, while the leg LH is in falling phase. This correct picture belongs to the cell Hh
of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S27: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a bull from India
(http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
The antelope in Fig. S28 is supported by the legs LH and LF, while the leg RH is in lifting
phase and the leg RF is in falling phase. This incorrect picture belongs to the cell Fb of the
walking matrix.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S28: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of an antelope from India
(http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
The antelope in Fig. S29 steps with the legs RH and RF, while its legs LF and LH are on the
ground. This incorrect picture belongs to the cell Fb of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S29: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of an antelope from India
(http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
The support of the antelope in Fig. S30 is given by the legs RH and LF. The leg LH is in
lifting phase and the leg RF is in falling phase. This correct picture belongs to the cell Ff of
the walking matrix.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S30: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of an antelope from India
(http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
The deer in Fig. S31 is supported by its legs RH and RF, while the legs LH and LF are in
lifting and falling phase, respectively. This correct picture belongs to the cell Hh of the
walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S31: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a deer from India
(http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
In Fig. S32 the quadruped is supported by the legs LH and RF, while the leg RH is in lifting
phase and the leg LF is in falling phase. This correct picture belongs to the cell Bb of the
walking matrix.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S32: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a quadruped from the
Indian Bhimabetaka (http://bmaks.webs.com/cavepaintings.htm).
The support of the bull in Fig. S33 is given by its legs LF and RH, while both the legs LH and
RF are in lifting phase. This incorrect picture belongs to the cell Df of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S33: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a bull from India
(http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/925).
The mammoth in Fig. S34 is supported by its legs RH and RF, while the leg LH is in lifting
phase and the leg LF is in falling phase. This incorrect picture belongs to the cell Bf of the
walking matrix.
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
Supplementary Figure S34: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of a mammoth from the
Indian Karabad (http://www.bradshawfondation.com).
In the case of the elephant in Fig. S35 the support is ensured by the legs LH, LF and RF,
while the leg LH is lifted. This correct picture belongs to the cell Cb of the walking matrix.
Supplementary Figure S35: As Fig. S1 for a prehistoric picture of an elephant from the
Indian Bhimabetaka (http://bmaks.webs.com/cavepaintings.htm).
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
B. Supplementary Tables
Supplementary Table S1: The numbers of all (prehistoric and modern) correct (grey cells)
and incorrect (white cells) quadruped walking illustrations (Appendix C) in the walking
matrix. Ncorrect = 355, Nincorrect = 645, total N = Ncorrect + Nincorrect = 1000. The error rate is r =
Nincorrect / N = 64.5%.
a
b
A 24 9
c
d
e
11 15
1
f
g
H
2
1
B 72 39 37 108 38 10 11 24
C
D
13 11 12
3
4
3
6
7
6
1
12 30 10
E 13 2
6
11 31 14 52 90
F 26 7
G
5
H 12 4
2
2
26 23 22 70
2
10 15 18
2
18
2
1
5
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
Supplementary Table S2: The numbers of correct (grey cells) and incorrect (white cells)
pre-Muybridgean (after prehistory and prior to 1887) quadruped walking illustrations in the
walking matrix. Ncorrect = 45, Nincorrect = 227, total N = Ncorrect + Nincorrect = 272. The error rate is
r = Nincorrect / N = 83.5%.
a
c
d
1
2
4
B 17 9
7
35
C
1
1
A
b
D
6
F
4
H
f
g
h
5
3
5
17
1
1
1
3
4
E
G
e
5
5
6
2
1
1
1
21 53
9
1
1
19
33
3
1
1
1
Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
Supporting Information
Horváth et al.
Supplementary Table S3: The numbers of correct (grey cells) and incorrect (white cells)
post-Muybridgean (after 1887) quadruped walking illustrations in the walking matrix. Ncorrect
= 289, Nincorrect = 397, total N = Ncorrect + Nincorrect = 686. The error rate is r = Nincorrect / N =
57.9%.
a
b
c
d
e
A 23
9
9
11
1
f
g
h
1
B 52 24 29 73 30
3
6
7
C
10 10 11
2
3
2
1
12 26
9
5
3
1
6
25 13 31 37
2
21 22 13 36
D
5
E
7
2
F 22 4
G
4
H 12 1
1
1
20
1
9
15 15
2
4
2
Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
Supplementary Table S4: The numbers of correct (grey cells) and incorrect (white cells)
cavalry statues in the walking matrix. Ncorrect = 124, Nincorrect = 235, total N = Ncorrect + Nincorrect
= 359. The error rate is r = Nincorrect / N = 65.5%.
a
b
c
d
e
A 14 2
5
10
1
B 31 7
10 54 22
2
3
1
C
3
1
2
1
2
2
D
4
E
4
1
F 18 3
G
H
1
2
f
g
h
1
8
11
3
1
4
14
8
14 33
1
10
8
4
17
2
4
7
2
1
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Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
Supplementary Table S5: The numbers of correct (grey cells) and incorrect (white cells)
two-dimensional (paintings, graphic art, reliefs) quadruped walking illustrations in the
walking matrix. Ncorrect = 210, Nincorrect = 392, total N = Ncorrect + Nincorrect = 602. The error rate
is r = Nincorrect / N = 65.1%.
a
b
c
d
A 10 7
6
5
e
f
g
h
2
B 38 26 27 54 13
4
8
23
C
1
2
2
4
8
D
1
E
9
1
F
8
1
G
3
H 11 3
8
10
1
4
19
6
5
5
7
17
6
38 57
1
13 14 18 52
2
1
2
22
7
2
11 11
5
3
Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
Supplementary Table S6: The numbers of correct (grey cells) and incorrect (white cells)
horse walking illustrations in the walking matrix. Ncorrect = 244, Nincorrect = 585, total N =
Ncorrect + Nincorrect = 829. The error rate is r = Nincorrect / N = 70.6%.
a
b
c
d
e
A 18 8
9
15
1
B 32 31 36 104 26
C
D
8
f
5
11 10
h
2
1
14 22
2
3
4
5
3
1
11 16
E 12 2
6
10 27 14 52 89
F 22 3
G
H
1
4
3
1
2
17 21 22 67
1
2
23
9
g
1
6
15 15
1
4
2
Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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Horváth et al.
Supplementary Table S7: The unity walking matrix with number 1 in its every cell. In this
case the numbers of correct (grey cells) and incorrect (white cells) quadruped walking
illustrations are: Ncorrect = 16, Nincorrect = 44, total N = Ncorrect + Nincorrect = 60. Then the error
rate is r = Nincorrect / N = 73.3% corresponding with the pure accident.
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
A
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
B
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
C
D
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
E
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
F
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
G
H
1
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1
Erroneous artisctic quadruped walking depictions
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C. Permission for the Use of the Colour Picture in Figure 2
The photographer of the colour picture in Fig. 2 (a prehistoric illustration of an elephant from
the Libian Tadrart Acacus), Luca Galuzzi (http://www.galuzzi.it) gave his permission in the
following e-mail:
From luca.galuzzi@gmail.com Thu Dec 15 21:57:04 2011
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:49:48 +0100
From: Luca Galuzzi <luca.galuzzi@gmail.com>
To: Kriska György <kriska@ludens.elte.hu>
Cc: Gabor Horvath <gh@arago.elte.hu>
Subject: Re: request
Dr. Gyorgy Kriska,
you are welcome to use my picture in your article.
Luca Galuzzi
_________________________
Luca Galuzzi :: www.galuzzi.it
2011/12/15 Kriska Gyorgy <kriska@ludens.elte.hu>
Dear Luca Galuzzi,
we wrote an article entitled
Cavemen depicted quadruped walking more correctly than modern artists:
Erroneous walking illustrations in the fine arts from prehistory to today
by Gabor Horvath, Etelka Farkas, Ildiko Boncz and Gyorgy Kriska
to be submitted to a scientific journal (e.g. the Public Library of
Science).
In our paper we would like to use your following photo(s):
picture name: Prehistoric picture of an elephant from the Libian Tadrart
Acacus
website: http://www.galuzzi.it
I would like to ask you to send me a written permission via e-mail that we
can use the mentioned picture(s) in our paper.
Of course, the website of your picture(s) will be given in the figure
legend(s) of our paper.
Thanks in advance, with best wishes: Dr. Gyorgy Kriska (corresponding
author)
Group for Methodology in Biology Teaching,
Biological Institute, Eotvos University,
H-1117 Budapest, Pazmany setany 1, Hungary,
e-mail: kriska@ludens.elte.hu
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