Binding: Paperback
Description: In this comprehensive book Michael Witzel persuasively demonstrates the prehistoric origins of most of the mythologies of Eurasia and the Americas (Laurasia'). By comparing these myths with others indigenous to sub - Saharan Africa Melanesia and Australia (Gondwana Land') Witzel is able to access some of the earliest myths told by humans. The Laurasian mythologies share a common story line that dates the world's creation to a mythic time and recounts the fortunes of generations of deities across four or five ages and human beings creation and fall culminating in the end of the universe and occasionally hope for a new world. These stories are contrasted with the 'southern mythologies which lack most of these features. Witzel's investigations are buttressed by archaeological data as well as by comparative linguistics and human population genetics. All suggest the African origins of anatomically modern humans and their subsequent journey along Indian Ocean shores up to Australia and southern China around 60,000 BCE. These itinerants early mythology survives partly in sub - Saharan Africa and points along the path - the Andaman Islands Melansia and Australia. Laurasian mythology Witzel shows developed along this vast trail probably in southwest Asia around 40,000 BCE. Identifying features shared by virtually all mythologies of the globe Witzel suggests that these features probably informed myths recounted by the communities of the African Eve. As such they are the earliest substantiation of our ultimate ancestors spirituality. Moreover the Laurasian myths key features Witzel shows survive today in all major religions and their multiple ideological offshoots.
Title: The Origins Of The World's Mythologies
Author(s): Witzel E. J. Michael (Wales Professor Of Sanskrit Wales Professor Of Sanskrit Harvard University)
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
Barcode: 9780199812851
Pages: 688 Pages, 15 Maps, 11 B&W Halftones
Publication Date: 1/4/2013
Category: Ancient Egyptian Religion & Mythology