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Dragons’ Teeth and Thunderstones
The Quest for the Meaning of Fossils
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Format: Hardback
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See moreDrawing on archaeology, mythology and folklore, Kenneth McNamara takes you on a journey through prehistory with these strange and curious stones, and explores humankind's unending quest for the meaning of fossils.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
For at least half a million years, people have been doing some very strange things with fossils. Long before a few 17th-century minds started to decipher their true, organic nature, fossils had been eaten, dropped in goblets of wine, buried with the dead, adorned on bodies, and even used to try and cause harm. What triggered such curious behaviour was the belief, passed down from prehistoric to Medieval times, that some fossils could cure illness, protect against being poisoned, ease the passage into the afterlife, ward off evil spirits, and even kill those who were just plain annoying. But above all, to our early prehistoric ancestors living hundreds of thousands of years ago, fossils were the very stuff of artistic inspiration.
Drawing on archaeology, mythology, and folklore, Kenneth McNamara takes you on a journey through prehistory with these strange and curious stones, and explores humankind's unending quest for the meaning of fossils in Dragons’ Teeth and Thunderstones.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Dragons’ Teeth and Thunderstones by Kenneth J. McNamara explores the fascinating cultural interpretations and uses of fossils across different societies, from Ireland to Australia. The book delves into various mythologies, such as those surrounding dragons' teeth and thunderstones, revealing an ancient tradition that continues to influence our understanding of these natural phenomena.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781789142907
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 12 October 2020
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Illustration: 71 illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 138.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 288
About the Author
Ken McNamara is an Emeritus Fellow of Downing College, University of Cambridge. He is the author of many books on palaeontology and evolution, including Dragons’ Teeth and Thunderstones: The Quest for the Meaning of Fossils (Reaktion, 2020).
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