UNDERGROUND MYTHOLOGY edited by Sylvia P Beamon 2002 [6] + 123 + [5] pp
illus. Price £15.99 + £2.25 UK or £4.00 Europe Post & Packing.
Available from: Sylvia P Beamon, 2 Morton Street, Royston, Herts. SG8
7AZ.
The editor is famous for being the founder in 1974 of Subterranea
Britannica, the national society for the study of man-made and
underground structures used by man. She is an author of numerous papers
and books on these topics including “The Ice Houses of Britain” and The
Royston Cave Used by Saints or Sinners”.
This current book cover a wide range of topics under the general heading
of “Underground Mythology”. The numerous papers are not only thought
provoking, but leave a wide gap for further research. The numerous
authors, all top people in there own fields of expertise have cast new
light on a little aspect of the subterranean world.
The papers include:“The Shell Grotto at Margate”, “Exploring Water in
Underground Mythology”, “Post-Mesolithic Finds from the Bohemian Karst
Region and the Exploitation of Caves in the Post Mesolithic Development
of Central Europe”, “The Motif of the Cave in Folk Culture”, “Cave of the
Nymphs - Archaic Mind, and the Symbol of a Cave (Examples from the Czech
Republic)”, and “Mithraism - a `Subterranean’ Religion”.
But, it is the following paper which is likely to attract most discussion on
the list: “Who, or What Were the Knockers or the Knackers?” by Sylvia P
Beamon. This is part of the superstitious folklore believed by miners all
over the world. It is suggested that the influx of Saxony tin miners to
Cornwall first highlighted the “little people” who could be heard tapping
away in the depths. When the Cornish miners emigrated to Australia they
took the legends with them where they spread to the mines of Moonta and
Wallaroo.
The editor has linked together these topics to show how legends can
evolve through time and travel from country to country. This book takes
a fresh look at fairy stories and has also touched on ancient religions,
folklore and superstition. As such it will appeal to mine explorers
everywhere.
TO
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