Folk memory

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Folk memory, also known as folklore or myths, refers to past events that have been passed orally from generation to generation. The events described by the memories may date back hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years and often have a local significance. They may explain physical features in the local environment, provide reasons for cultural traditions or give etymologies for the names of local places.

Contents

Purported folk memories

Events

A model of the Haast's eagle attacking a moa with its large talons. The Haast's eagle is believed to be the subject of many Maori legends Haastseagleattacksamoa.jpg
A model of the Haast's eagle attacking a moa with its large talons. The Haast's eagle is believed to be the subject of many Māori legends

Species

Even more so than is ordinary for the study of history, the plausible historical connections listed above could be inaccurate due to the difficulty of piecing together prehistoric or preliterate fragments of evidence into a meaningful understanding. They must rely on more speculation to fill in evidence gaps than would be acceptable in another context that provided more rigorous verifiability of the records available.[ citation needed ]

See also

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References

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  10. 1 2 P.Vikers-Rich, J.M.Monaghan, R.F.Baird and T.H.Rich (eds) (1991)Vertebrate Palaeontology of Australasia. p.2. Pioneer Design Studio and Monash University. ISBN   0-909674-36-1.
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  17. Strong, W. D. (1934). "North American Indian Traditions Suggesting a Knowledge of the Mammoth". American Anthropologist. 36 (1): 81–88. doi: 10.1525/aa.1934.36.1.02a00060 .
  18. Scott, William Berryman (1887). "American Elephant Myths". Scribner's Magazine. 1. New York: C. Scribner’s Sons: 474–476. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
  19. Records of the Past Exploration Society, “Pre-Indian Inhabitants of North America, Part II, Man and the Elephant and Mastodon”, Records of the Past, (Washington D.C.: Records of the Past Exploration Society, 1907), 164, retrieved online October 2008 at books.google.com/books?id=7_HzBYM-7X4C
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Further reading