The mystery of the Loch Ness Monster may finally be solved

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about the Loch Ness monster at some point.

Over the years numerous reports have come out saying that they have seen some giant long-necked creature swimming in the loch.

But a new study published in the journal Earth Sciences History suggests that these reports are influenced by the discovery of dinosaur fossils in the early 19th century.

The Loch Ness monster is said to be a plesiosaur that somehow managed to survive the mass extinction that killed off the dinosaurs.

Researchers took a look at over 1,500 alleged sightings of the creature dating from 1801 all the way to the 1930's.

And their findings pretty much conclude that the fossils of long-necked marine reptile fossils influenced what people think they saw in the water.

Perhaps the most iconic image, known as the "surgeon's photograph" was published in 1934, but was later proven to be a hoax.