Demigods – Attempt at Scientific Explanation.

5 Pages Posted: 8 Oct 2018

See all articles by José Pedro L. Nunes

José Pedro L. Nunes

Universidade do Porto - Centre for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems (CINTESIS)

Date Written: September 22, 2018

Abstract

This text presents speculations concerning a possible historical connection between present day genetic discoveries and classic Greek mythology. Its main interest could lie in suggesting using mythology to guide present day research. Ancient texts could be read under a new light, trying to find new directions for research.

In the present text, the hypothesis will be explored that Demigods represent, from the mythological standpoint, the result of interbreeding between the ancestors of modern humans and Neandertals. The hypotheses now presented provide an explanation for the fact that Eurasian traditions present beings of mixed human/ divine origin, often in the context of families. Oral transmission of stories concerning these robust humans, now extinct, may have happened. Terrestrial interbreeding between ancestors of modern humans and Neandertals would appear to be an explanation in accordance with the present state of knowledge.

Keywords: Demigods, Neandertals, Homo sapiens

JEL Classification: Y8

Suggested Citation

Nunes, José Pedro L., Demigods – Attempt at Scientific Explanation. (September 22, 2018). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3253503 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3253503

José Pedro L. Nunes (Contact Author)

Universidade do Porto - Centre for Research in Health Technologies and Information Systems (CINTESIS) ( email )

Alameda Hernani Monteiro
Porto, 4200
Portugal

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
123
Abstract Views
793
Rank
412,219
PlumX Metrics