Consider this an open-ended hypothetical possibility, not something I personally am firm in believing but a theory I consider to at least be
probable... I'll keep things really basic.
...Long ago, before people, there were Dinosaurs. (duh) They ruled the earth for a period far longer than mankind has.
...They evolved into intelligent, sentient beings.
Over the course of millions of years, they developed many advanced technologies.
When the earth's climate changed, becoming too cool for comfort, they adapted by hiding underground, where it was warm. Some fled to nearby solar
systems thought to harbor hospitable planets.
Keep in mind, our civilization has only been around for a few thousand years. Saurian intelligence would have had at minimum 65 million years to
develop their technology.
After the freeze of the ice age had subsided, some emerged only to find us inhabiting their once lush planet. (How angry they would be with what we do
to it these days!)
They influenced and guided early civilisation, evidence of which can be found in ancient artwork and achitecture from all areas of the world. Perhaps
they were the blood-thirsty gods of the ancient world...
We know them as "Aliens" yet we are like invaders to them if you think about it.
I find this theory to be at least more probable than the extraterrestrial assumption. (although I don't discount the possibility for existance of
life outside earth)
If I had more time, I'd construct a very well reasoned, researched, and scientific report but I don't have time so it goes in skunkworks. (Im at
work right now)
Please feel free to add on to this theory, drawing from your beliefs and imagination.
More info below....................
From Wikipedia:
The "Dinosauroid"
A model of the hypothetical Dinosauroid.In 1982, paleontologist Dale Russell, curator of vertebrate fossils at the National Museum of Canada in
Ottawa, speculated on how evolution would have proceeded if the troodonts had survived the extincton of the dinosaurs. Russell speculated that a
species like Troodon would have grown smarter and taken on a human-like appearance. Russell partnered with taxidermist and artist Ron Sequin and
together they made a model of what a derived, intelligent Troodon would look like, naming their fantasy creation a "Dinosauroid" (Russell & Séguin,
1982). While a few paleontologists, such as David Norman (1985) and Cristiano dal Sasso (2004) have regarded this as a plausible line of reasoning,
others, such as Gregory S. Paul (1988) and Thomas R. Holtz Jr., consider it "suspiciously human" (Paul, 1988) and argue that a large-brained, highly
intelligent troodontid would retain a more standard theropod body plan. Darren Naish has suggested the ground hornbill as a better model for a
hominid-mimicking terrestrial theropod.
Dinosauroid Pictures:
Relevant Articles:
Dinosauroids and mythology
Article on Dinosaurids
Dinosaurids in Star Trek
[edit on 28-5-2009 by mostlyspoons]