Proponents of the existence of an ancient “race” of giants are fond of quoting 19th century sources that describe skeletons with “double rows of teeth,” “double teeth in front,” and “double teeth all around.” Giant enthusiasts who take an uncritical view of those accounts tend to see these phrases as equivalent, interpreting all of them as evidence that the lost race of giants was characterized by remarkable dental characteristics revolving around the presence of “double rows of teeth.”
Here are some examples:
In A Tradition of Giants (2007:18-19), Ross Hamilton writes that the “recessive trait” of “double rows of teeth” was “always associated with extra-large frames.”
In The Nephilim Chronicles (2010:33), Fritz Zimmerman also implies that “double rows of teeth” is some kind of inherited trait:
"Another physical characteristic that is evident within this population is the physical abnormality of possessing a double row of teeth. While a large skeleton would appear to be rare, in combination with a double row of teeth would imply that a single people is being represented."
Richard Dewhurst's attempt at synthesis in The Ancient Giants Who Ruled America (2014:66) is limited to a single sentence:
“Throughout the Indian lore of giants are also stories of skulls being found with double rows of teeth, called double dentitions.”
And if I had a nickel for every time Jim Vieira said “double rows of teeth” I wouldn’t have to be on the job market.
One problem, of course, is that the various phrases that are simplistically glommed into the category of “double rows of teeth” didn’t all mean the same thing. I have addressed the meaning and use of the phrase “double teeth all around” and how it relates to the meaning of the term “double tooth” as a synonym of molar or grinder. In my first post on the subject, I provided a single example of the use of the phrase “double row of teeth” to describe a person with normal (even ideal) teeth. The “double” in that example was clearly referring to the presence of upper and lower rows of teeth rather that the presence of multiple, concentric rows of teeth in each jaw. There are indeed two rows: one in the maxilla and one in the mandible.
I can’t say exactly what each of the giantologists has in mind when he says “double rows of teeth,” but I’m guessing it’s more than a nice smile. Maybe one of them could draw us a picture of what exactly a “double dentition” or “double rows of teeth” is supposed to be. Then we'll have some clarity.
Dewhurst’s book was one of the first (and worst) of the recent books on giants that I’ve purchased. I couldn’t even make it through the whole thing. I wrote a review of it on Amazon.com (if you want a more thorough treatment, read Jason Colavito’s review). One person who commented on my review defended the book and went after my first blog post on “double rows of teeth,” noting that I’d only given a single example of the use of that specific phrase.
Fair enough. The time has come to address the issue of what these accounts meant when they used the actual phrase “double row of teeth” or “double rows of teeth.” I’ve started collecting data on that and it’s taking a while. Hundreds of examples of the phrase came up in my first search, and it is clear that this phrase (unlike “double teeth all around") has several different meanings. In some cases (often in reference to animals, but sometimes in reference to humans) it actually does mean “double rows of teeth” in the way that I think giantologists imagine it. In other cases it very clearly was NOT intended to mean multiple, concentric rows of teeth. And in some cases it is not yet clear to me what the intended meaning was. It is going to take some sifting and sorting to try to figure out the patterns of usage of the phrase(s) when the intent is unknown. The use of the phrase is somewhat nuanced.
I wanted to go ahead and provide a few examples, however, of individuals who were described in the press as having a “double row of teeth.” I think you will agree that the descriptions of these individuals are not meant to imply anything but a normal mouth full of teeth. If we are to believe that having “double rows of teeth” is a marker that can be used to identify and track an ancient race of giants, we are going to have to substantially modify who we’re including in that "race."
Here are some examples:
In A Tradition of Giants (2007:18-19), Ross Hamilton writes that the “recessive trait” of “double rows of teeth” was “always associated with extra-large frames.”
In The Nephilim Chronicles (2010:33), Fritz Zimmerman also implies that “double rows of teeth” is some kind of inherited trait:
"Another physical characteristic that is evident within this population is the physical abnormality of possessing a double row of teeth. While a large skeleton would appear to be rare, in combination with a double row of teeth would imply that a single people is being represented."
Richard Dewhurst's attempt at synthesis in The Ancient Giants Who Ruled America (2014:66) is limited to a single sentence:
“Throughout the Indian lore of giants are also stories of skulls being found with double rows of teeth, called double dentitions.”
And if I had a nickel for every time Jim Vieira said “double rows of teeth” I wouldn’t have to be on the job market.
One problem, of course, is that the various phrases that are simplistically glommed into the category of “double rows of teeth” didn’t all mean the same thing. I have addressed the meaning and use of the phrase “double teeth all around” and how it relates to the meaning of the term “double tooth” as a synonym of molar or grinder. In my first post on the subject, I provided a single example of the use of the phrase “double row of teeth” to describe a person with normal (even ideal) teeth. The “double” in that example was clearly referring to the presence of upper and lower rows of teeth rather that the presence of multiple, concentric rows of teeth in each jaw. There are indeed two rows: one in the maxilla and one in the mandible.
I can’t say exactly what each of the giantologists has in mind when he says “double rows of teeth,” but I’m guessing it’s more than a nice smile. Maybe one of them could draw us a picture of what exactly a “double dentition” or “double rows of teeth” is supposed to be. Then we'll have some clarity.
Dewhurst’s book was one of the first (and worst) of the recent books on giants that I’ve purchased. I couldn’t even make it through the whole thing. I wrote a review of it on Amazon.com (if you want a more thorough treatment, read Jason Colavito’s review). One person who commented on my review defended the book and went after my first blog post on “double rows of teeth,” noting that I’d only given a single example of the use of that specific phrase.
Fair enough. The time has come to address the issue of what these accounts meant when they used the actual phrase “double row of teeth” or “double rows of teeth.” I’ve started collecting data on that and it’s taking a while. Hundreds of examples of the phrase came up in my first search, and it is clear that this phrase (unlike “double teeth all around") has several different meanings. In some cases (often in reference to animals, but sometimes in reference to humans) it actually does mean “double rows of teeth” in the way that I think giantologists imagine it. In other cases it very clearly was NOT intended to mean multiple, concentric rows of teeth. And in some cases it is not yet clear to me what the intended meaning was. It is going to take some sifting and sorting to try to figure out the patterns of usage of the phrase(s) when the intent is unknown. The use of the phrase is somewhat nuanced.
I wanted to go ahead and provide a few examples, however, of individuals who were described in the press as having a “double row of teeth.” I think you will agree that the descriptions of these individuals are not meant to imply anything but a normal mouth full of teeth. If we are to believe that having “double rows of teeth” is a marker that can be used to identify and track an ancient race of giants, we are going to have to substantially modify who we’re including in that "race."
Mary Abigail Fillmore: does having a double row of teeth qualify her to be an antediluvian giant? Mary Abigail Fillmore, daughter of President Millard Fillmore, was described in a story entitled “A Night at the White House” which ran in The Pittsburgh Gazette (February 11, 1850):
“In one personal feature alone she mirrors forth her sire—in a double row of teeth, strong, white and beautifully regular. They are a predominant feature in the President, and so they are with his lovely daughter.”
[See addendum below: The story was actually about Mary Elizabeth Bliss, daughter of the 12th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor.]
A politician or lobbyist named Cassady (who I was unable to further identify) was described in a story about the politics of railroads in Illinois (The Edwardsville Intelligencer, February 18, 1874):
“Cassady of McLean, a representative of the most radical and rampant extremists who are clamoring for more railroad legislation . . .
“A man of gigantic frame, with large features, the jaws and chin indicating an iron will; a cavernous mouth, disclosing a double row of teeth that look solid enough to enable him to make a dinner on ten-penny nails, and withal a habit of showing his teeth when laughing derisively and twisting his face into various contortions that are absolutely beyond description . . .”
Miss Annie Pauline Scott, reported winner of a $10,000 prize in a beauty contest sponsored by circus magnate Adam Forepaugh, was described in a March 31, 1881, story in the Wyandot Herald:
“Her lips are full and expressive, of a bright vermillion tinge, and when severed by a smile reveal a double row of teeth that are typical in their regularity and dazzling whiteness.”
[Note: although irrelevant to the subject of giants, I will mention that other sources I found online state that Louise Montague, rather than Annie Pauline Scott, was the winner of the prize. It is not clear to me which of these women actually won what might have been the first beauty pageant in American history, but both are described as having very nice teeth.]
Frederick Robinson, a circus or sideshow performer, was described in a June 8, 1884 story in The Times-Picayune:
“Mr. Frederick Robinson was paid $350 a week for puffing out his fat belly, rolling his eyes, and showing his double row of teeth the size of headstones. Mr. Robinson at 10 per cent of that sum would be well paid for all the acting he is capable of doing.”
Finally a description of a church sermon leaves little doubt what is meant by a "double row of teeth" (The Weekly Sun, March 9, 1900):
"One of our great divines has said “God put the tongue under the most secure guard possible—in the center of the skull, guarded by a double row of teeth and then again by a pair of lips.” Yet it has been known to outwear that same double row of teeth, outwit the lips, and do untold mischief to the possessor and all others.”
So, if the presence of a “double row of teeth” is any indicator, our current roster of Nephilim giants is woefully under-staffed: we should add the daughter of the thirteenth President of the United States, a beauty queen, and an overpaid fat guy, as well as numerous other living people described in nineteenth century newspapers. And, actually, everyone in creation.
The descendants of these four people and other individuals described as having a "double row of teeth" should be on alert: a crew from Search for the Lost Giants may ask to disinter the remains of your deceased relatives in order to look at their skulls. They ended last season, after all, making a plea to dig up the grave of Benjamin Bucklin, who was described as having “double teeth all around.”
Or maybe, just maybe, it is starting to sink in that this whole "double rows of teeth" thing is not as simple as it once seemed. I sure hope so.
ADDENDUM (1/17/2015): After reading a different printing of the story referenced above with the title "A Night at the White House," I realized the story was actually about President Taylor's daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bliss, rather than Fillmore's daughter. I regret the error. Here is a picture of Mary Elizabeth Bliss. I could not find one of her smiling.
“In one personal feature alone she mirrors forth her sire—in a double row of teeth, strong, white and beautifully regular. They are a predominant feature in the President, and so they are with his lovely daughter.”
[See addendum below: The story was actually about Mary Elizabeth Bliss, daughter of the 12th President of the United States, Zachary Taylor.]
A politician or lobbyist named Cassady (who I was unable to further identify) was described in a story about the politics of railroads in Illinois (The Edwardsville Intelligencer, February 18, 1874):
“Cassady of McLean, a representative of the most radical and rampant extremists who are clamoring for more railroad legislation . . .
“A man of gigantic frame, with large features, the jaws and chin indicating an iron will; a cavernous mouth, disclosing a double row of teeth that look solid enough to enable him to make a dinner on ten-penny nails, and withal a habit of showing his teeth when laughing derisively and twisting his face into various contortions that are absolutely beyond description . . .”
Miss Annie Pauline Scott, reported winner of a $10,000 prize in a beauty contest sponsored by circus magnate Adam Forepaugh, was described in a March 31, 1881, story in the Wyandot Herald:
“Her lips are full and expressive, of a bright vermillion tinge, and when severed by a smile reveal a double row of teeth that are typical in their regularity and dazzling whiteness.”
[Note: although irrelevant to the subject of giants, I will mention that other sources I found online state that Louise Montague, rather than Annie Pauline Scott, was the winner of the prize. It is not clear to me which of these women actually won what might have been the first beauty pageant in American history, but both are described as having very nice teeth.]
Frederick Robinson, a circus or sideshow performer, was described in a June 8, 1884 story in The Times-Picayune:
“Mr. Frederick Robinson was paid $350 a week for puffing out his fat belly, rolling his eyes, and showing his double row of teeth the size of headstones. Mr. Robinson at 10 per cent of that sum would be well paid for all the acting he is capable of doing.”
Finally a description of a church sermon leaves little doubt what is meant by a "double row of teeth" (The Weekly Sun, March 9, 1900):
"One of our great divines has said “God put the tongue under the most secure guard possible—in the center of the skull, guarded by a double row of teeth and then again by a pair of lips.” Yet it has been known to outwear that same double row of teeth, outwit the lips, and do untold mischief to the possessor and all others.”
So, if the presence of a “double row of teeth” is any indicator, our current roster of Nephilim giants is woefully under-staffed: we should add the daughter of the thirteenth President of the United States, a beauty queen, and an overpaid fat guy, as well as numerous other living people described in nineteenth century newspapers. And, actually, everyone in creation.
The descendants of these four people and other individuals described as having a "double row of teeth" should be on alert: a crew from Search for the Lost Giants may ask to disinter the remains of your deceased relatives in order to look at their skulls. They ended last season, after all, making a plea to dig up the grave of Benjamin Bucklin, who was described as having “double teeth all around.”
Or maybe, just maybe, it is starting to sink in that this whole "double rows of teeth" thing is not as simple as it once seemed. I sure hope so.
ADDENDUM (1/17/2015): After reading a different printing of the story referenced above with the title "A Night at the White House," I realized the story was actually about President Taylor's daughter, Mary Elizabeth Bliss, rather than Fillmore's daughter. I regret the error. Here is a picture of Mary Elizabeth Bliss. I could not find one of her smiling.
Mary Elizabeth Bliss: does having a double row of teeth qualify HER to be an antediluvian giant?
RSS Feed
