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In a study of how humans made sense of fossils before evolutionary theory developed, the author of The First Fossil Hunters explores Aztec and Inca fossil tales, as well as Iroquois, Navajo, Apache, Cheyenne, and Pawnee traditions concerning these extinct creatures.

Traces the origins of biological and chemical warfare, discussing the use of poison arrows, germ infected traps, and dangerous animals and insects in ancient and medieval times while considering the moral ramifications.

Product Description: Machiavelli praised his military genius. European royalty sought out his secret elixir against poison. His life inspired Mozart's first opera, while for centuries poets and playwrights recited bloody, romantic tales of his victories, defeats, intrigues, concubines, and mysterious death...read more

Could Griffins have been real? When Adrienne Mayor carefully read the ancient Greek and Roman descriptions, this mythic hybrid of a lion and an eagle sounded like something people had actually seen. What could explain that evidence? After a decade of hunting through myths, poring over old maps, and tracing the discoveries of modern dinosaur hunters, she found the answer: awesome dinosaur fossils observed by ancient gold-hunters in the Gobi desert. Here is the story of one insightful, curious, and determined woman who solved the mystery of the Griffin, and invented a new science. Now she and others travel the world matching myths and fossils.