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Myths & Legends

All over the world there are extraordinary stories—stories that once upon a time were believed to be true but are today limited to the sphere of ancient myths and legends. The question remains, are those myths and legends something that existed in the minds of our ancestors, or were they based on true events? It is true that most of those ancient myths and legends appear to the scientific world to be fictitious products of vivid imaginations whose goals were purely to explain phenomena beyond their comprehension. Yet is it not arrogant to accuse our ancestors of being uncivilised and ignorant in one breath, then offer them praise and admiration over their monuments, buildings, art, sculptures, and societies in the next? This only proves that our modern society has two contradictory attitudes toward our past.

In this section we will explore some of the most amazing myths and legends from around the world—legends that may hold truths that can unlock the secrets of our ancient origins.

Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari.

The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth

The passage of the millennia has brought us traces of ancient civilizations that shone enough to make their cultural glimpses last through the ages. Humanity itself has featured in the art, culture,...
Hoia Baciu forest, Romania.

Romania’s Bermuda Triangle: The Creepy Hoia Forest

Outside of Romania, especially in the English-speaking world, Transylvania is a land associated with vampires, specifically Dracula. Inside Romania, where Vlad the Impaler is a national hero, his...
5 Of The Most Violent Stories In Norse Mythology (Video)

5 Of The Most Violent Stories In Norse Mythology (Video)

Norse mythology is brimming with violent stories, many of which feature brutal battles and gruesome punishments. One of the earliest and most notable tales involves Ymir , the first being in the...
Five Aspects of Kaos That Might or Might Not be from Greek Myth

Five Aspects of Kaos That Might or Might Not be from Greek Myth

By Emily Hauser /The Conversation Kaos is a modern-day, darkly comic reworking of Greek myth. If, like me, you got hooked on it, you might be wondering what was actually taken from myth and what was...
Child’s Anti-Vampire Burial Found in Chełm, Poland

Child’s Anti-Vampire Burial Found in Chełm, Poland

Archaeologists in Chełm, Poland, have uncovered two children's skeletal remains, one of which exhibits signs of an anti-vampire burial, dating back to the 13th century. The discovery was made during...
Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese mythology.

The Shichifukujin: Japan's Seven Lucky Gods

The Seven Lucky Gods, or Fukujin, are a revered group of deities in Japanese culture, each symbolizing various aspects of fortune and prosperity. Originating from a mix of Buddhist, Shinto, and...
History Fuzz Logo

Podcast: History Fuzz: Episode 02: Professor Stephen Lekson. Chaco Pt 1. America's most controversial meridian

In this latest episode of our podcast, we delve into the intriguing concept of the Chaco Meridian, a north-to-south alignment that traverses the southwestern United States and is marked by the...
1499 depiction of Aztec ritual sacrifice.

Blood for the Gods: Ritual Sacrifice in the Ancient World

Since the dawn of humanity, countless civilizations have engaged in ritual sacrifice. Often, these sacrifices involved other humans, and were so common they were considered a normal aspect of life...
Two sirens

Enchanting Women of the Odyssey: From Seductive Sirens to Wicked Witches

Of the monsters and mythological creatures Odysseus encounters during his long voyage from Troy to Ithaca, among the fiercest are female. Three of these are Circe, the Sirens and Calypso, who all...
Five Fascinating Myths and Legends From Ancient African Cultures (Video)

Five Fascinating Myths and Legends From Ancient African Cultures (Video)

Africa’s mythological traditions are rich and diverse, offering a window into the beliefs of its ancient cultures. One enduring legend is the Tokoloshe , a creature feared across southern Africa...
AI image of Moirai, Goddesses of Fate.

Ancient Concepts of Fate: Deities and Influencers of Destiny

Looming over the lives of gods and mortals alike, fate was more than a concept, it was an inscrutable force, a celestial decree woven by unseen hands. Dictating the unfolding of destinies, the gods...
Tokoloshe newspaper headline, December 7, 1955, on sale in a bookstore in the 19th District, Vienna, Austria.

Five Fascinating Myths and Legends From Ancient African Cultures (Video)

Africa’s mythological traditions are rich and diverse, offering a window into the beliefs of its ancient cultures. One enduring legend is the Tokoloshe , a creature feared across southern Africa...
Reconstruction of Tinnis Late Iron Age Fort ablaze

Archaeological Finds Support Local Folklore of Merlin’s Grave

In the tranquil region of Tweeddale in southern Scotland, the ancient village of Drumelzier has long been entwined with the legend of Merlin, the mythical wizard famously linked to King Arthur...
Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus in Kaos

‘Netflix’s Kaos is the Cleverest Retelling of Greek Mythology I’ve Ever Seen’

By Ellie Mackin Roberts /The Conversation Last year, one of my child’s English assignments was to rewrite a traditional fairy tale with one major plot difference, to see how the story might play out...
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Podcast: History Fuzz: Episode 01: Professor Giulio Magli. Intentionality vs Chance in Archaeoastronomy

In this episode, I interview Professor Giulio Magli, a leading astrophysicist and archaeoastronomer who heads the Department of Mathematics at the Polytechnic University of Milan. Magli, a prominent...
History Fuzz Logo

Podcast: History Fuzz: Episode 00: Ashley Cowie. Introduction. Delineating the Show Themes, Structure, and Schedule

Ancient Origins Premium is now featuring select episodes of the History Fuzz Podcast hosted by historian, adventurer, author, broadcaster, Ashley Cowie! Each episode will be featured bi-weekly and...
Noppera-bō (by Asai Ryōi in his Otogi Boko, early Edo period)

Faceless Terror: Unmasking the Noppera-bō of Japanese Folklore

Every culture has told creepy ghost stories, but Japanese folklore has some of the best. Take, for example, the Noppera-bō, also known as the faceless ghost. This haunting figure is known for its...
Egyptian Creation Myth and the Gods of Chaos: Life From Darkness

Egyptian Creation Myth and the Gods of Chaos: Life From Darkness

The Ancient Egyptians were one of the world’s earliest civilizations and left an incredible mark on the whole of humanity. Having endured in history for millennia , they never strayed too far from...
Why is an Ultimate Goal Called a ‘Holy Grail?’

Why is an Ultimate Goal Called a ‘Holy Grail?’

By Joanne M. Pierce /The Conversation For decades, winning an Olympic medal has been described as the Holy Grail of sports. Athletes aren’t the only ones in search of a Holy Grail. For example, in...
Left; Shuten-doji, Right; Tamamo-no-Mae

The Evilest Yokai: Supernatural Creatures from Japanese Mythology (Video)

Japanese mythology is filled with stories of yokai, supernatural beings that embody the darkest aspects of human nature. Two of the most feared yokai are Shuten-doji and Tamamo-no-Mae, whose legends...
Isis wall painting in the tomb of Seti I.

The Egyptian goddess Isis in Rome (Video)

​​ The Egyptian goddess Isis held significant influence in Rome, particularly from the 2nd century BC onward. Initially associated with the fertility of the Nile and the mother of Horus, her...
AI image of a Minotaur.

The Dark Side of Mythical Humanoid Monsters

In the shadowy recesses of human imagination, mythical humanoid monsters have long lingered. Since the dawn of language, creatures of a repellent nature have existed in all their abhorrent splendor...
Agartha: Exploring the Legends of a Hidden Subterranean World

Agartha: Exploring the Legends of a Hidden Subterranean World

For some reason, we’ve long been obsessed with the idea of lost cities and advanced hidden civilizations. A classic example of this is the ongoing hunt for Agartha, a legendary city supposedly hidden...
Chitchenitza with the Milky Way captured behind it.

Religious Practices in Ancient Maya Civilization

The ancient Maya civilization , known for its intricate and highly developed society, flourished in Mesoamerica for thousands of years, reaching its zenith during the Classic Period (250-900 AD)...

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