I have often wondered to what extent the discovery of dinosaur bones in such places as Mongolia might have influenced various Chinese and other mythologies.
Also, these findings are from over 8,000 years ago. I have often wondered what the impact of the eruption of Mt. Mazama (Crater Lake) with all the ash from its 6 mile diameter caldera, might have had on developing civilizations in the period between 7 and 8,000 years ago when it erupted. You may remember the crazy weather we had in the years after Pinitubo which only left a 3 mile diameter calder. I would think a 6 mile diameter caldera would have dumped around 8 times as much ash into the upper atmosphere, and being in the northern hemisphere would have had a proportionately larger impact in China than Pinitube being much farther south might have.
Adrienne Mayor discusses that in a book; the dragon myths are attributed to the Scythians, who’d picked it up directly or indirectly from fossil deposits in the region you mentioned. :’)
Greek Myths: Not Necessariliy Mythical
Source: New York Times
Published: 7/4/00 Author: John Noble Wilford
Posted on 07/07/2000 07:37:37 PDT by H.R. Gross
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3965eb3163de.htm
‘Cyclops’-like remains found on Crete
CNN | Friday, January 31, 2003 Posted: 2:52 AM HKT (1852 GMT) | Editorial Staff
Posted on 02/01/2003 11:07:21 AM PST by vannrox
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/833994/posts