Grover Krantz

Introduction

American biological anthropologist and cryptozoologist (1931–2002) Grover Sanders Krantz (November 5, 1931 – February 14, 2002) was an American anthropologist and cryptozoologist; he was one of few scientists not only to research Bigfoot, but also to express his belief in the animal's existence.American biological anthropologist and cryptozoologist (1931–2002) Grover Sanders Krantz (November 5, 1931 – February 14, 2002) was an American anthropologist and cryptozoologist; he was one of few scientists not only to research Bigfoot, but also to express his belief in the animal's existence.

Throughout his professional career, Krantz authored more than 60 academic articles and 10 books on human evolution, and conducted field research in Europe, China, and Java.Throughout his professional career, Krantz authored more than 60 academic articles and 10 books on human evolution, and conducted field research in Europe, China, and Java.

Outside of Krantz's formal studies in evolutionary anthropology and primatology, his cryptozoological research on Bigfoot drew heavy criticism from his colleagues due to being fringe science, costing him research grants and promotions, and delaying his tenure at the university.Outside of Krantz's formal studies in evolutionary anthropology and primatology, his cryptozoological research on Bigfoot drew heavy criticism from his colleagues due to being fringe science, costing him research grants and promotions, and delaying his tenure at the university.

However, Krantz was tenacious in his work and was often drawn to controversial subjects, such as the Kennewick Man remains, arguing for their preservation and study.However, Krantz was tenacious in his work and was often drawn to controversial subjects, such as the Kennewick Man remains, arguing for their preservation and study.

Early life and education

Krantz was born in Salt Lake City in 1931 to Carl Victor Emmanuel Krantz and Esther Maria (née Sanders) Krantz.Krantz was born in Salt Lake City in 1931 to Carl Victor Emmanuel Krantz and Esther Maria (née Sanders) Krantz.

His parents were devout Latter Day Saints often referred to as Mormons, and while Krantz tried to follow the basic Christian philosophy of behaviour and morality, he was not active in the religion.His parents were devout Latter Day Saints often referred to as Mormons, and while Krantz tried to follow the basic Christian philosophy of behaviour and morality, he was not active in the religion.

He was raised in Rockford, Illinois until the age of 10, when his family relocated back to Utah.He was raised in Rockford, Illinois until the age of 10, when his family relocated back to Utah.

In the 1970s, Krantz studied the fossil remains of Ramapithecus, an extinct genus of primates then thought by many anthropologists to be ancestral to humans, although Krantz helped prove this notion false.In the 1970s, Krantz studied the fossil remains of Ramapithecus, an extinct genus of primates then thought by many anthropologists to be ancestral to humans, although Krantz helped prove this notion false.

In 1996 Krantz was drawn into the Kennewick Man controversy, arguing both in academia and in court that direct lineage to extant human populations could not be demonstrated.In 1996 Krantz was drawn into the Kennewick Man controversy, arguing both in academia and in court that direct lineage to extant human populations could not be demonstrated.

In an interview appearing in The New Yorker, Krantz stated his view that "this skeleton cannot be racially or culturally associated with any existing American Indian group" and "the Native Repatriation Act has no more applicability to this skeleton than it would if an early Chinese expedition had left one of its members there."In an interview appearing in The New Yorker, Krantz stated his view that "this skeleton cannot be racially or culturally associated with any existing American Indian group" and "the Native Repatriation Act has no more applicability to this skeleton than it would if an early Chinese expedition had left one of its members there."

In 2001 he attempted to submit the last paper he wrote before his death, titled "Neanderthal Continuity in View of Some Overlooked Data," although it was rejected by the peer reviewed journal Current Anthropology, with then editor Benjamin Orlove stating that it did not make enough reference to the most current research.In 2001 he attempted to submit the last paper he wrote before his death, titled "Neanderthal Continuity in View of Some Overlooked Data," although it was rejected by the peer reviewed journal Current Anthropology, with then editor Benjamin Orlove stating that it did not make enough reference to the most current research.

led him to believe that this was an actual creature.led him to believe that this was an actual creature.

He theorized that sightings were due to small pockets of surviving gigantopithecines, with the progenitor population having migrated across the Bering land bridge, which was later used by humans to enter North America.He theorized that sightings were due to small pockets of surviving gigantopithecines, with the progenitor population having migrated across the Bering land bridge, which was later used by humans to enter North America.

(Gigantopithecus lived alongside humans but is thought to have gone extinct 100,000 years ago in eastern Asia, while the Bering land bridge existed between 135,000 to 70,000 years BP.)(Gigantopithecus lived alongside humans but is thought to have gone extinct 100,000 years ago in eastern Asia, while the Bering land bridge existed between 135,000 to 70,000 years BP.)

In January 1985 Krantz tried to formally name Bigfoot by presenting a paper at the meeting of the International Society of Cryptozoology held in Sussex, England, assigning it the binomen Gigantopithecus blacki, although this was not permitted by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature because G. blacki was an existing taxon and because the creature was lacking a holotype.In January 1985 Krantz tried to formally name Bigfoot by presenting a paper at the meeting of the International Society of Cryptozoology held in Sussex, England, assigning it the binomen Gigantopithecus blacki, although this was not permitted by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature because G. blacki was an existing taxon and because the creature was lacking a holotype.

Krantz argued that his plaster casts were suitable holotypes, later suggesting G. canadensis as a name, with the caveat that were Sasquatch found to be a member of the Homininae clade, the genus name could be Gigantanthropus in place of Gigantopithecus.Krantz argued that his plaster casts were suitable holotypes, later suggesting G. canadensis as a name, with the caveat that were Sasquatch found to be a member of the Homininae clade, the genus name could be Gigantanthropus in place of Gigantopithecus.

was largely ignored.

Shortly before his death, Krantz also examined the Skookum cast.Shortly before his death, Krantz also examined the Skookum cast.

He did not publicly endorse its authenticity, saying in an interview with Outside magazine, "I don't know what it is.He did not publicly endorse its authenticity, saying in an interview with Outside magazine, "I don't know what it is.

I 'm baffled.I 'm baffled.

Elk.

Sasquatch.

That 's the choice."That 's the choice."

Personal life

Grover Krantz had one brother, Victor Krantz, who worked as a photographer at the Smithsonian Institution.Grover Krantz had one brother, Victor Krantz, who worked as a photographer at the Smithsonian Institution.

On March 3, 1987, Krantz debated Duane Gish on creationism and evolution at Washington State University; the well publicized three hour debate was attended by more than 1000 people.On March 3, 1987, Krantz debated Duane Gish on creationism and evolution at Washington State University; the well publicized three hour debate was attended by more than 1000 people.

Death and skeleton

On Valentine's Day 2002, Krantz died in his Port Angeles, Washington home from pancreatic cancer after an eight month battle with the disease.On Valentine's Day 2002, Krantz died in his Port Angeles, Washington home from pancreatic cancer after an eight month battle with the disease.