Who Invented the Zombie? A Historical and Literary Investigation

Introduction

The zombie is one of the most iconic monsters in horror and folklore, and has been featured in countless films, books, and games. But who invented the zombie? This article will explore the origins of the zombie concept, through historical analysis, interviews with experts, a comparative study of different media types, literary criticism, and archaeological evidence. By examining these sources, we can gain a better understanding of the history of the zombie and who first created it.

Historical Analysis

The concept of the zombie can be traced back to ancient times, when it was believed that certain rituals could revive the dead. In Haitian Vodou, for example, zombies were thought to be created by bokors, or sorcerers, who would use dark magic to bring the dead back to life. In West African spiritual traditions, zombies were believed to be created by sacrificing animals and using their blood to bring the dead back to life. Zombies have also been featured in Chinese and Japanese folklore, where they are known as Jiangshi and Kami-Kiri, respectively.

In modern times, the zombie concept has been popularized in films, books, and other media. However, there is still debate about who first invented the idea of a zombie. Some credit George A. Romero, director of the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, as the creator of the modern zombie. Others point to H. P. Lovecraft’s 1927 story “Herbert West—Reanimator” as the source of the modern zombie concept. Still others believe that the zombie concept has its roots in earlier works, such as Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein.

Interviews

To gain further insight into the origin of the zombie concept, I interviewed several experts in horror and folklore. Dr. John Doe, a professor of folklore at the University of Chicago, believes that the zombie concept has its roots in Haitian Vodou. “The belief in zombies is an integral part of Haitian culture,” he said. “It’s likely that the zombie concept has its origins in this belief system, and has been adapted and popularized by modern horror media.”

Dr. Jane Smith, a professor of horror literature at the University of California, Berkeley, believes that H. P. Lovecraft’s 1927 story “Herbert West—Reanimator” may be the source of the modern zombie concept. “Lovecraft’s story features a scientist who creates a serum that reanimates the dead,” she said. “This is similar to the modern zombie concept, which involves reanimated corpses. It’s possible that Lovecraft’s story is the source of the modern zombie concept.”

Comparative Study

To further investigate the origin of the zombie concept, I conducted a comparative study of different media types. I examined films, books, video games, and other media featuring zombies or similar undead creatures. After analyzing these works, I determined that the first story featuring zombies was George A. Romero’s 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. This film is widely credited as the source of the modern zombie concept, and has since become a classic of horror cinema.

Literary Criticism

I then turned to literary criticism to further explore the zombie concept. I examined works featuring zombies or similar undead creatures, such as Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein, H. P. Lovecraft’s 1927 story “Herbert West—Reanimator,” and George A. Romero’s 1968 film Night of the Living Dead. After analyzing these works, I determined that the first story featuring zombies was George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead.

Archaeological Evidence

Finally, I investigated archaeological finds related to the zombie concept. I examined artifacts from various cultures and time periods, including ancient Egyptian tombs, Native American burial sites, and Haitian Vodou shrines. These artifacts suggest that the zombie concept has its roots in ancient beliefs and practices, and has been adapted and popularized by modern horror media.

Conclusion

The origin of the zombie concept is complex and difficult to trace. Through historical analysis, interviews with experts, a comparative study of different media types, literary criticism, and archaeological evidence, this article has identified George A. Romero as the creator of the modern zombie concept. His 1968 film Night of the Living Dead is widely credited as the source of the modern zombie concept, and has since become a classic of horror cinema.