Making monsters: the historical evolution of myths

• Main Author: Goh, Kai Sheng
• Other Authors: Goh Geok Yian
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2023
• Subjects: Humanities::History
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/165359
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Myths of undiscovered animals occupy a prominent place in popular culture, being especially prominent within the cryptozoological community. Many of these myths are ostensibly based on Indigenous folklore and accounts. However, despite this claim, many of the modern interpretation of the myths differ greatly from their earliest documented versions. This project aims to examine the cultural history and historical process of myth creation and how the myths have evolved over time. It finds that not only is the process of myth creation a continuous and ongoing one, but also that the myths are dynamic in nature and can branch off into new myths through the process of alteration. Additionally, it finds that communities such as the cryptozoology are active participants in the process of myth making.