page_title: Gold-digging ant
hierarchical_section_title: Gold-digging ant
caption_attribution_description: English: Mercator 1569 world map sheet 12 of 18
context_page_description: The gold-digging ant is a mythical insect described in classical and medieval bestiaries. They were dog- or fox-sized ants that dug up gold in sandy areas. Some versions of the Physiologus said they came from Ethiopia, while Herodotus claimed they were located in India.
context_section_description: The gold-digging ant is a mythical insect described in classical and medieval bestiaries. They were dog- or fox-sized ants that dug up gold in sandy areas. Some versions of the Physiologus said they came from Ethiopia, while Herodotus claimed they were located in India.
caption: In this sheet of the Mercator 1569 world map, the text Formicae hic aurum effodientes homines sunt ("Here there are men who unearth the gold of ants.") is located at 38°N 127°E﻿ / ﻿38°N 127°E﻿ / 38; 127 between Çardand and Mien.
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