Scientists Explore Sasquatch Origins

May 20

What If Bigfoot Is a Relic Hominid? Scientists Weigh In

Bigfoot. Sasquatch. The Ohio Grassman. The Pacific Northwest’s most infamous cryptid has long captured public imagination, but a growing number of researchers, anthropologists, and scientists are asking a new question: what if Bigfoot isn’t just folklore or hoax, but a relic hominid?

A relic hominid refers to a surviving member of an ancient hominin species once believed to be extinct. Could Bigfoot be a descendant of Gigantopithecus, Paranthropus, or some unknown branch of the human evolutionary tree? In this deep-dive, we explore the evidence, theories, and professional opinions around one of cryptozoology’s most compelling mysteries.

Understanding the Relic Hominid Theory

To believe in Bigfoot as a relic hominid is to believe that an ancient species of human-like primate managed to evade extinction and human discovery. It’s not unprecedented—new species of mammals and hominids have been discovered in recent decades, including:

Homo floresiensis (the Hobbit) in Indonesia
The Denisovans in Siberia
Unidentified hominid DNA strands in modern human genomes

If such beings could remain hidden for tens of thousands of years, why not one more?

Scientific Roots: What the Experts Say

Some anthropologists, primatologists, and evolutionary biologists don’t outright dismiss the possibility. While mainstream academia remains skeptical, notable scientists have proposed serious hypotheses:

Dr. Jeff Meldrum (Idaho State University): A professor of anatomy and anthropology, Meldrum has published peer-reviewed research analyzing Sasquatch footprints, suggesting midtarsal breaks not found in human tracks.
Dr. Grover Krantz (Washington State University): One of the first scientists to publicly support the idea that Bigfoot could be a surviving Gigantopithecus, an extinct giant ape.
Dr. John Bindernagel: A wildlife biologist who documented alleged Sasquatch evidence and argued that the North American ecosystem could support such a creature.

Could Bigfoot Be Gigantopithecus?

Gigantopithecus blacki was a massive ape that lived in Southeast Asia up to 300,000 years ago. Standing up to 10 feet tall and weighing 1,100 pounds, it is the most commonly cited candidate for a relic hominid Bigfoot.

But there’s a catch—there’s no evidence it ever crossed into North America. Unless descendants migrated over the Bering Land Bridge during prehistoric times, it's unlikely. However, some believe Gigantopithecus is just one of many hominid ancestors still to be discovered or classified.

Modern Evidence: What We Know

From the Pacific Northwest forests to the Florida Everglades, relic hominid theories persist. Eyewitness accounts, environmental clues, and even hair samples provide tantalizing leads.

1. Footprints

Footprints found in snow, mud, and soil often show unusual characteristics like dermal ridges or midfoot flexibility. Casts have been studied by multiple experts, with some ruling out hoax based on gait depth and print mechanics.

2. Hair & Scat Samples

A few unknown hair samples have tested inconclusive or matched unknown primates. Some DNA strands contain no match to any known creature.

3. Consistent Descriptions Across Cultures

From the Florida Skunk Ape to the Appalachian Bigfoot, stories of large, hairy, bipedal creatures are shockingly consistent across geography and generations.

Why Don’t We Have a Body?

Skeptics frequently ask: why haven’t we found a Sasquatch body? Scientists counter with the following:

Most wild animal carcasses are scavenged or decomposed within days.
Bigfoot may live in inaccessible regions like deep national parks.
The creature may bury its dead or die in remote caves or swamps.

In fact, many large animal species—like cougars and wolverines—are rarely found dead in the wild.

What Modern Cryptid Researchers Are Doing

With advanced gear and data analysis tools, today’s Bigfoot hunters have elevated the game:

Thermal drones and motion-sensor cameras are deployed in hotspots like Olympic National Park.
SPF 50 outdoor shirts and moisture-wicking apparel allow for longer treks in humid terrain.
UV-resistant Bigfoot stickers and custom Bigfoot merchandise help identify teams and mark trails.

Bigfoot’s Place in Human History

If Bigfoot is indeed a relic hominid, its existence challenges conventional ideas of evolution and extinction. Could it:

Be a branch of human ancestry that diverged millions of years ago?
Represent an undiscovered cousin of early Homo erectus or Paranthropus?
Offer insight into prehistoric migration patterns?

In this light, Bigfoot is not just a creature of folklore but a potential living fossil—a walking mystery that bridges past and present.

Thoughts: Science and the Sasquatch

Mainstream science demands verifiable evidence. But history shows that science also evolves. Species thought extinct have resurfaced. Unknown animals have been found. And hominid history is still far from fully written.

The relic hominid theory offers a compelling lens to view the Bigfoot legend. Whether it’s the Florida Skunk Ape, Washington Sasquatch, or Texas Bigfoot, the idea that a human-like being could still walk among us is both chilling and awe-inspiring.

So as you trek through the forest in your favorite Bigfoot hoodie, flashlight in hand, remember: the truth might be just beyond the next ridge.