Irish Myths: Uncovering Lost Prehistoric Legends | The Ancients
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1h 8m
Was the Eye of Sauron based on ancient Irish mythology? What can we know about these prehistoric legends and their effect on our stories today?
Tristan Hughes and ancient history expert Anthony Murphy dive deep into the written tales to uncover how the seemingly "pagan" stories, written down by Christian medieval monks, contain surprisingly accurate memories of Stone Age monuments and customs, including the astronomical alignment of Newgrange, the River Boyne, and the legendary Salmon of Knowledge. Irish mythology's prehistoric origins are revealed, from the Tuatha Dé Danann gods to the epic heroes and warriors.
Explore the cycles of Irish myth, the fascinating tale of the Tuatha Dé Danann's arrival and their battle with the pirate-giants the Fomorians and their leader Balor of the Baleful Eye. Discover how modern archaeology and DNA science are proving powerful correspondences between the mythological tales and the archaeological record, suggesting a deep-time folk memory hidden in these stories of gods, kings, and heroes like Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill), and how these myths are inextricably linked to the most important prehistoric landscapes of Ireland, such as the Hill of Tara and the shee-mounds.
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