C. Scott Littleton, Ph.D.
(Prof. Emeritus of Anthropology, Occidental College / Witness, Battle of Los Angeles)
RIP (b: July 1, 1933 – d: November 25, 2010)
FEATURED IN:
1.5 – Closer Encounters (5.18.10)
1.6 – The Return (5.25.10)
ABOUT:
C. Scott Littleton was an American anthropologist and academic.
Born in Los Angeles, he served in the Army during the Korean War. Littleton obtained his B.A. (1957), M.A. (1962), and Ph.D. (1965) in anthropology from UCLA.
At Occidental College from 1962-2002, his main research areas were Indo-European mythology and folklore, King Arthur and the Holy Grail, and Japanese culture, with an emphasis on Shinto. In his latter years, he conducted research on the occult, and UFOs.
Littleton died in Pasadena, California after undergoing heart surgery; he also suffered from pneumonia. [1]
Understanding Shinto: Origins, Beliefs, Practices, Festivals, Spirits, Sacred Places
To know Japan, one must know Shinto-the country’s indigenous religion. Using superb color images of rituals, ceremonies, and sacred architecture, as well as sacred texts, Understanding Shinto offers a fascinating glimpse into this unique culture. It explores the religion’s symbolism, impact on daily life, and philosophical concepts-including the importance of the group over the individual.
This volume boldly proposes that the core of the Arthurian and Holy Grail traditions derived not from Celtic mythology, but rather from the folklore of the peoples of ancient Scythia (what are now the South Russian and Ukrainian steppes). Also includes 19 maps.
“In Part 1. Background – Littleton describes the influence of Frazier, Durkheim, Mauss and other members of the French school of sociology. In Part 2, he describes the synthesis that took place as Dumezil studied Roman and Hindi “myths” and became aware of similarities between the two religious systems that led him to form the theory of Tripartition. Dumezil suggested a “three-part” structure could be discerned in Indo-European myths and social organization. Part 3 of Littleton’s book includes a discussion based on material from Benveniste, Wikander, Gerschel, Frye, Kuiper, and others who conducted additional research, and either praised or criticized Dumezil’s ideas.”
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Scott_Littleton
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