Geomythology: How Common Stories Reflect Earth Events

Gold-guarding griffins, Cyclopes, killer lakes, man-eating birds, and fire devils from the sky are being reevaluated by researchers in geomythology, a field that examines pre-literate societies' tales to uncover accurate pre-scientific intuitions about earth-based phenomena. The book "Geomythology: How Common Stories Reflect Earth Events" provides an accessible overview of this interdisciplinary field, exploring the geomythical resonances of universal earth tales about dragons and giants, regional stories, and the influence of myths on legends about griffins, Cyclopes, and other iconic creatures. It is a valuable resource for scientists and lay readers, particularly in light of current interest in monsters, climate change, and natural disasters.

Format: Hardback
Length: 110 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Long regarded as mere fiction, tales of gold-guarding griffins,Cyclopes,killer lakes,man-eating birds, and fire devils from the sky have recently been reevaluated through the lens of geomythology. This multidisciplinary field has uncovered that these and similar stories, originating in pre-literate societies, contain remarkably accurate, pre-scientific intuitions about startling or catastrophic earth-based phenomena such as volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and the discovery of peculiar animal bones.

Geomythology: How Common Stories Reflect Earth Events offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to this fascinating field. In the introductory chapter, the book surveys the remarkable history of geomythology and its core concepts. The second and third chapters delve into the geomythical resonances of universal earth tales about dragons and giants. Chapter 4 focuses on regional stories and explores how these and other myths have influenced legends about griffins, Cyclopes, and other iconic creatures. The final chapter examines potential future avenues of research in geomythology, including geohazard management, geomythology databases, geomythical cold cases, and the potential for geomythology to shape rather than merely support research agendas in science.

This book is a valuable resource for scientists and lay readers alike, particularly in the current era of growing interest in monsters, massive climate change, and natural disasters. By delving into the intersection of myth, folklore, and scientific inquiry, Geomythology: How Common Stories Reflect Earth Events provides a fresh perspective on our understanding of the natural world and its mysteries.

Weight: 256g
Dimension: 143 x 225 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367711061