Pleistocene Fauna Depictions in American Palaeoart

The numerous published claims concerning the depiction in North American rock art and portable palaeoart of Pleistocene animal species, and in some cases even of Mesozoic species, are examined. Such proposals have appeared since the 19th century and have involved petroglyphs, pictograms and mobiliary art. Patterns in the consideration of the evidence presented in their support are analysed and the rationales underpinning these various claims are examined in an attempt to explain their apparent foundations. This review yields no credible evidence for the depiction of extinct fauna in the United States or any other parts of the Americas.