# Comparative Mythology Analyzer Myth Researcher

> Research specified mythology systems using authoritative academic sources, identify ATU folktale type codes and Thompson Motif-Index codes, and build a hierarchically-ranked evidence dossier for structural analysis

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-dungnotnull-comparative-mythology-analyzer-agent-skill-comparative-mythology-analyzer-myth-researcher`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [dungnotnull](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dungnotnull)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [dungnotnull](https://github.com/dungnotnull)
- **Source:** https://github.com/dungnotnull/comparative-mythology-analyzer-agent-skill/tree/main/.claude/skills/comparative-mythology-analyzer-myth-researcher

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-dungnotnull-comparative-mythology-analyzer-agent-skill-comparative-mythology-analyzer-myth-researcher
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

## Purpose

Systematically gather high-quality, citable evidence about each specified mythology system and theme. The output of this sub-skill is the evidential foundation that all subsequent analytical stages depend on. It must identify official ATU/MI classification codes, retrieve primary text passages, and collect peer-reviewed scholarly interpretations — ranked by the evidence hierarchy (primary texts > peer-reviewed > encyclopedias > popular sources).

---

## Inputs

- Completed intake profile from `sub-profile-intake` (mythology systems, theme, purpose, depth)
- Any preliminary ATU/MI codes identified during intake

---

## Workflow

### Step 1 — ATU/MI Code Identification
For the specified theme or motif, identify the canonical ATU and Thompson Motif-Index codes:

1. WebSearch: `"{theme}" ATU folktale type classification`
2. WebSearch: `"{theme}" Thompson motif-index code`
3. Cross-reference against SECOND-KNOWLEDGE-BRAIN.md ATU code table
4. Record: ATU type number(s), MI code(s), and short description for each code
5. **Format validation:** every code must match either `ATU N` or `ATU ANNNN` (e.g., ATU 300, ATU A1010) or `MI XNNNN(.N)` (e.g., MI A1010.1). Invalid codes are flagged for re-verification.

**Example queries:**
- "flood myth ATU motif index classification" → ATU A1010, MI A1010.1
- "trickster figure Thompson motif index" → MI K1816 family, K0 family
- "dragon slayer folktale type" → ATU 300, ATU 300A

### Step 2 — Primary Text Research (per mythology system)
For each mythology system in the intake profile, execute the following search pattern:

**Search Pattern A — Primary Texts:**
```
WebSearch: "[mythology system] [theme] primary text ancient source"
WebSearch: "[myth name in original tradition] text translation"
WebFetch: worldhistory.org/[relevant topic]
```

**For well-documented traditions:** Identify the canonical text (e.g., *Epic of Gilgamesh* for Mesopotamian flood, *Rig Veda* for Vedic creation, *Theogony* for Greek cosmogony)

**For oral/indigenous traditions:** Identify ethnographic records (Boas, Radin, Frazer's fieldwork; museum digital archives; university oral tradition databases)

### Step 3 — Scholarly Analysis Research (per mythology system)
For each mythology system, search for peer-reviewed analyses:

```
WebSearch: "[mythology system] [theme] comparative analysis scholarly journal"
WebSearch: "[myth name] Campbell monomyth analysis"
WebSearch: "[myth name] Propp functions analysis"
WebSearch: "[myth name] Lévi-Strauss structuralism"
WebFetch: relevant JSTOR article pages (if accessible)
WebFetch: relevant Academia.edu papers
```

Prioritize sources from:
- Journal of American Folklore
- Folklore (Folklore Society, UK)
- History of Religions (University of Chicago)
- Myth & Symbol (Mouton de Gruyter)
- Current Anthropology
- Journal of Indo-European Studies

### Step 4 — Cross-Cultural Comparison Research
Search specifically for existing comparative analyses:

```
WebSearch: "[tradition A] AND [tradition B] [theme] comparative study"
WebSearch: "[theme] cross-cultural comparison mythology diffusion"
WebSearch: "[ATU code] variants worldwide distribution"
```

Note: any existing scholarly hypotheses about diffusion (monogenesis, polygenesis, cultural contact) found in this step should be flagged for the diffusion hypothesis section.

### Step 5 — SECOND-KNOWLEDGE-BRAIN.md Consultation
Always consult the internal knowledge base:
1. Read SECOND-KNOWLEDGE-BRAIN.md sections 1, 6
2. Check the Key Mythological Motif Clusters (Section 6) for pre-indexed parallels
3. Check Key Research Papers (Section 2) for directly relevant citations
4. Use any pre-indexed content to supplement (not replace) live research

### Step 6 — Build Evidence Dossier
For each mythology system, compile a structured research record:

```
RESEARCH RECORD: [Mythology System] — [Theme]
================================================
Primary Texts:
  - [Text Name] ([date/century]), [language], [author if known]
    Key passage: "[relevant quote or summary]"
    Source: [URL or citation]

Scholarly Analyses:
  - [Author, Year] "[Title]" [Journal/Publisher] [DOI/URL]
    Key finding: [1–2 sentence summary]
    Evidence tier: Peer-reviewed

ATU Folktale Type:
  - ATU [XXX]: [Description]
  
Thompson Motif-Index Codes:
  - MI [Code]: [Description]
  
Key Motif Elements:
  - [Element 1]: [description + where it appears in this tradition]
  - [Element 2]: [description + where it appears in this tradition]
================================================
```

### Step 7 — Evidence Ranking and Flagging
Review the complete dossier and:
1. Rank all sources by evidence tier: Primary > Peer-reviewed > Encyclopedia > Popular
2. Flag any popular-source-only claims with [LOWER EVIDENCE TIER — verify]
3. Flag any gaps: "Evidence gap: no peer-reviewed comparative analysis found for [tradition]"
4. Note where primary texts are unavailable and oral tradition records serve as proxy

---

## Outputs

**Primary Output:** Research dossier containing, for each mythology system:
1. Primary text citations with relevant passage summaries
2. Scholarly analysis citations with key findings
3. ATU folktale type code(s)
4. Thompson Motif-Index code(s)
5. Key motif elements relevant to the theme
6. Evidence tier flags and gap notices

**Handoff:** Pass the complete research dossier to `sub-structural-analyzer`.

---

## Quality Gate

Before passing to sub-structural-analyzer, verify:
- [ ] At least 3 sources found per mythology system (any tier)
- [ ] At least 1 peer-reviewed or primary text source found per mythology system
- [ ] ATU code(s) identified and verified for the specified theme (or noted as "ATU unclassified — oral tradition only")
- [ ] Thompson Motif-Index code(s) recorded for key motifs
- [ ] All popular-source-only claims flagged
- [ ] Evidence gaps documented
- [ ] Research dossier is structured and complete for all systems in the intake profile

**If fewer than 3 sources found for a system:** Expand WebSearch queries; try alternative search terms (myth names in original language); consult SECOND-KNOWLEDGE-BRAIN.md; note limitation if still insufficient.

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [dungnotnull](https://github.com/dungnotnull)
- **Source:** [dungnotnull/comparative-mythology-analyzer-agent-skill](https://github.com/dungnotnull/comparative-mythology-analyzer-agent-skill)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-dungnotnull-comparative-mythology-analyzer-agent-skill-comparative-mythology-analyzer-myth-researcher
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/dungnotnull
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

---
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