The most apparent purpose of myths is to explain facts, which might be natural or cultural. For example, an American Indian explains the origin of corn in this way: there is a lonely man who meets a beautiful woman with long, fair hair, who promises to stay with him if he does as he says; … Read more

In the 12th century, seamen in China and Europe discovered that a piece of lodestone (magnetic ore), when floated on a stick in water, aligns itself so that it points in the direction of the North Star. This is because the Earth itself acts as a huge magnet with a north-south field, which causes freely … Read more