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MERMAIDS

Mermaids, ocean dwelling creatures that are half-woman, half-fish, are an
ancient idea. They are described in legend as both friendly and hostile to
humans. In some stories, they lead sailors to their death, in others they
marry human men.

Although mermaids are not widely believed in today, through the 1700s they
were thought to be real. Pliny the Elder included them in his Natural
History, (1st Century A.D.). Natural Historians Erik Pontoppidan and Louis
Renard both included them in their 18th century texts as well.

Mermaid and Merman sightings have been explained by seals, sea-cows,
whales, (the singing connection) and swimming people. People? Yes. Keep in
mind, until fairly recently it was unusual for people to swim. Some were
not only spotted from boats, but caught in nets. The hallucinations of
sailors, from rum, heat, loneliness etc. probably explain some other
sightings. But the mermaid was taken seriously. Sailors jigs, reels and
hornpipes were composed in part to drown out their songs so that shipmen
wouldn't be led to watery graves by their notoriously bewitching voices.

Legends of mermaids are found all over the world and they are remarkably
similar. In all of them, these creatures are beautiful. They are said to
sometimes warn sailors of storms instead of harming them. Mostly, however,
they harm them, driving them first to ecstasy, then madness and at last
death.

MUSE CENTRAL

New! Poetry at Mythology@BellaOnline. A writing exercise will be featured
once a month and submissions are welcome on these and other topics. This
month's exercise: write your own versoin of "The Wind and Rain" and submit
it in an e-mail with 'poems' in the heading to: mythology@bellaonline.com
R

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art4803.asp/zzz

Got poetry that needs a home? Submit your original work to Mythology at
BellaOnline's new poetry section. Poems must be at least touch upon
Mythology-related themes.

SITE OF THE WEEK

Catch some inspiration from "The Zodiac Series", mythology-related poems
at Jimmy Warner's poetry site:
http://www.richmonder.com/jimmy/zodiac_series.htm

UPCOMING FEATURES

1. Stackalee - American myths about a man who sold his soul to the Devil,
among other somewhat dubious distinctions.

2.John Henry, who was the Steel-Drivin' man? Songs to accompany these, as
well as 'The Wind and The Rain' are coming soon.

ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTIQUITIES NEWS

In China, archaeologists have found evidence of human habitation that is
10,000-20,000 years old.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1454643.cms

An archaeology film festival is being held in Rome, (the last day is
today).
http://ansa.it/main/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2006-03-15_1151908.html

Archaeologists in Cyprus have unearthed a 2,500 year old sarcophagus.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/national/2006/03/20/cyprus-sarcophagus.html

A Nordic storyteller discusses the importance of Mythology in every-day
life. http://chips.luther.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=4426