What seems like a tale straight down from the mythology seems to be based on the truth. The giants of Lovelock seem to be a blend of archaeology, mythology and even folklore. At least, the recent evidence discovered in the Lovelock Cave, Nevada, in the United States of America shows that myths are not our figments of imagination but rather contain veritable elements in them. Nevada, which is a landlocked state in the Western region of the United States, is witness to what seems to be the skeletons of giants.
Si-teh-cah or the red haired cannibal giants of Lovelock Cave in Nevada. Fact or fiction? The Paiute folklore seemed to be evidence enough to back their discovery. #mummies #lovelock #zfb #mythology #folklore #history #cryptid #bigfoot #oddpodsquad #podcast #podpeople #neato pic.twitter.com/UkuI0lHQIR
— Zombie Fishbowl Podcast (@ZombieFishbowl) February 26, 2020How it all began?
In 1911, for the first time mummified remains were discovered in the Lovelock Cave when miners went to search for bat iguana, an essential ingredient for fertilizer making. This discovery led to subsequent expeditions in 1912, 1924 and 1931. The excavated mummies feature extreme heights of eight to ten feet. Besides, 15-inch long sandals were also recovered from the excavated artefacts. Additionally, a boulder engraving of a massive handprint was also discovered.
The Contradictions
However, contrary to the legends and the myths, the giants of Lovelock were not 2.12 metres in height. Rather, the original height seemed to be 1.83 metres. Experts also claim that the red hair could be due to the staining of the soil during excavation or certain burial environments that changed the colour of the hair. Besides, the extreme heights could be due to gigantism or other medical conditions like acromegaly. Gigantism refers to a rare clinical condition that happens when a child or adolescent has high levels of growth hormone in their body, which causes abnormal growth in height.
Acromegaly is another rare condition that occurs when an adult has too much growth hormone in their body, which causes their bones to thicken and other structures and organs to grow larger than normal. Others even suggest the possibility of wrongly identifying the animal bones as human bones, which has created confusion in the first place. The possibility of unique burial customs and cultural factors which might have influenced the appearance of the skeletons cannot be denied altogether.
The Explanation
The explanation about the mysterious Lovelock Giants seems to be provided by the Paiute myth. The Paiutes were an ancient North American Indian tribe which spoke certain languages of the Numic group. They claimed that there used to live a giant tribe with red hair whom they called Si-Te-Cah. They settled over the region by sailing across the ocean in reed rafts. However, the community of giant tribes were cannibalistic and very hostile to the original inhabitants, the Paiutes.
Always at war with the Paiute, the Si-Te-Cah was hated by the aboriginals for their abnormal cruelty and hate-mongering nature. Things took a dramatic turn when the Paiute, along with other tribes, came together and decided to exterminate the race by trapping them in the Lovelock Cave and setting fire to the cave. Although the narrative of exterminating the entire race by asphyxiating them seems a little bit of exaggeration, evidence gathered from the cave after so many years seems to corroborate the fact.
Apart from the Paiute myth, there have been other similar claims about the red-haired cannibalistic giants who came across the sea and dominated the southwestern American continent. A 16th-century Spanish conquistador documented an ancient Peruvian tale that narrated the tales about giants who crossed the ocean on large reed rafts. The explorer described them as being extremely tall and described their legs from the knee down as long as an average man’s entire body. The 1911 excavation by miners shows clear evidence of extreme fire at the entrance of the Lovelock cave, as claimed by the Paiute myth.
Other tales of giants across the world
Tales of giants have fascinated humankind for ages. The Biblical text in the Book of Genesis mentions the Nephilim, which is a race of giants that roamed the land before the Flood. Norse mythology has captivated children and adults alike with its enchanting tales of giants, also known as Jötnar. Jötnar were a race of beings who were feared for creating chaos and unpredictability. Ymir, Mimir, and Loki were some of the popular giants in Norse mythology.
Greek mythology also refers to the tale of gigantomachy, which indicates the fierce battles between the Olympian gods and Giants in antiquity. Cacus, Euryalus, Clytius, and Alcyoneus are some of the popular Greek giants to be featured in their mythology. The Indian epic Mahābhārata also narrates tales of the demon rākṣasas or the giants. The most notable was Ghatoṭkaca, the son of the she-demon Hiḍimbā and Bhīma, who even helped the Pandavas in their fight against the Kurus in the Epic battle. Whether they ever roamed the Earth or not is a debatable question, and the answer to them could only be speculated and not proved.
FAQ
1. What is the origin of the Lovelock Cave giants legend?
The legend of the Lovelock Cave giants stems from the discovery of mummified remains in the cave in the early 20th century. The remains were initially believed to belong to extremely tall individuals, leading to speculation about a race of giants.
2. What is the contradictory explanation provided for the “giants”?
Some experts claim that the remains found in Lovelock Cave are likely those of ordinary humans who may have suffered from conditions like gigantism or acromegaly. The exaggerated height claims may have been due to misinterpretation of skeletal remains or exaggerated accounts.
3. How does the Paiute myth relate to the Lovelock Cave giants?
The Paiute tribe, who lived in the region, has a myth about a race of red-haired giants called Si-Te-Cah who were eventually exterminated in the Lovelock Cave. This myth adds a layer of folklore to the legend.
4. Are there other legends or myths about giants around the world?
Yes, tales of giants appear in various cultures worldwide. The Bible mentions the Nephilim, Norse mythology features Jötnar, and Greek mythology describes the Gigantomachy. These legends often involve conflicts between humans or gods and these giant beings.
5. Is there definitive proof of the existence of giants?
There is no definitive scientific evidence to support the existence of giants as depicted in many legends. The remains found in Lovelock Cave and other archaeological sites can be explained by natural phenomena or cultural practices.
