610-425 BC-Philosophers Thales, Anaximander, Pythagoras, Xenophanes and Herodotus propose that marine fossils found inland lived in the sea, and that the now dry land was once underwater. (The myth is probably inspired by remains.) 58 BC-Marcus Aemilius Scaurus displays the skeleton of the "monster of Joppa," said to have a 40-foot backbone and ribs taller than elephants.