Bibliograph

Fossil legends of the first Americans, Adrienne Mayor

Type

Label

Fossil legends of the first Americans, Adrienne Mayor

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 407-427) and index

Illustrations

mapsillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Fossil legends of the first Americans

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

55596904

Responsibility statement

Adrienne Mayor

Summary

"This richly illustrated book examines the discoveries of enormous bones and uses of fossils for medicine, hunting magic, and spells. Well before Columbus, Native Americans observed the mysterious petrified remains of extinct creatures and sought to understand their transformation to stone. In perceptive creation stories, they visualized the remains of extinct mammoths, dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and marine creatures as Monster Bears, Giant Lizards, Thunder Birds, and Water Monsters. Their insights, some so sophisticated that they anticipate modern scientific theories, were passed down in oral histories over many centuries." "Drawing on historical sources, archaeology, traditional accounts, and extensive personal interviews, Adrienne Mayor takes us from Aztec and Inca fossil tales to the traditions of the Iroquois, Navajos, Apaches, Cheyennes, and Pawnees."--Jacket

Table Of Contents

Marsh monsters of big bone lick -- The northeast: giants, great bears, and grandfather of the buffalo -- New Spain: bones of fear and birds of terror -- The southwest: fossil fetishes and monster slayers -- The prairies: fossil medicine and spirit animals -- The high plains: thunder birds, water monsters, and buffalo-calling stones -- Common ground -- Fossil frauds and specious legends

Classification