Fairy tales could be 4,000 years older than we'd thought
- Published
Big news about some of your favourite fairy tales as new research suggests they might date back thousands of years earlier than it was originally thought.
Using techniques normally used by biologists, the researchers investigated common links between stories from around the world.
The study found that stories like Beauty and the Beast and Rumpelstiltskin can be traced back around 4,000 years, with one tale originating from the Bronze Age (around 6,000 years ago).
Until now it was thought they they only dated back around 500 years.
We asked you which ones you love and why? Thanks to everyone who sent is their favourite.
Your comments
My favourite fairy tales are Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Lilly, Surrey, England
My favourite story is Cinderella because we are doing a pantomime in school of Cinderella.
Simran, Birmingham, England
My favourite fairy tale is probably Snow White and the Seven Dwarves by The Brothers Grimm because the story is so different from the more commonly known Disney version.
Caitlin, Bristol, England
I like Frozen.
Amelia, Ledbury, England
My favourite fairy tales are Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast because I like the songs.
Jessica, London, England
My favourite story is Princess and the Pea because in the book I count the layers of mattresses.
Fay, Leeds, England
My favourite story would have to be Frozen.
Sophie, Paisley, Scotland
We are learning about fairy tales and as a class, we all really enjoy Rumpelstiltskin.
Class 3E, Sutton, England
In class we are looking at alternative fairy tales. We've been reading Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl. Our favourite one is Little Red Riding Hood. It's just like the original but with a different ending. It's really funny.
Year 3, St Mary's RC Primary School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
We really enjoyed Little Red Riding Hood. We had good fun making wanted posters and a new basket for Little Red Riding Hood.
P3H, Sion Mills Primary School, Northern Ireland
Thanks to the pupils of Holly Class at Parkfield Primary School, Hendon, England who sent us these comments.
My favourite fairy tale is Frozen because Elsa sings beautiful songs.
Zara
My favourite fairy tale is Jack and the Beanstalk because Jack is brave and isn't scared of the giant.
Edson
My favourite fairy tale is the Three Little Pigs because they stand up to the pig.
Nawaab
My favourite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast because I love Belle's yellow dress.
Chloe
My favourite is Little Red Riding Hood because the wolf eats grandma!
Amani
My favourite is the Three Little Pigs because the big pig made his house out of bricks and that means it's strong.
Haseeb
My favourite is the Gingerbread man because the Gingerbread man is fast.
Matas
My favourite is the Little Mermaid because I like her tail.
Noor
My favourite is the Gingerbread man because the wolf eats him. No one else can catch him.
Taiyoni
My favourite is Beauty and the Beast because the beast turns into a prince!
Mayumi
My favourite is Into the Woods because I like that all the fairy tales are in there!
Laken
My favourite is Cinderella because the fairy Godmother has magic.
Sana
My favourite is Sleeping Beauty because she sleeps for a long time!
Abisna
My favourite is Cinderella because I like her dress.
Widad
I like Rapunzel because the Witch cut her hair off!
Sarah
I like Aurora because her dress is pink and shiny.
Kaya
My favourite is Peter Pan because he can fly and he lives in a tree.
Shanlee
My favourite is Frozen because Elsa sings Let it go.
Lily
Thanks to the pupils at Becket Keys Church of England School, Brentwood, England who sent us these comments.
I don't have a favourite because I prefer stories like Star Wars!
Euan
Cinderella because I like the mice and it teaches you not to give up when you think all hope is lost.
Rebecca
Grimm's The Little Mermaid because it is more gruesome.
Chloe
The 2015 Cinderella because it is more interesting than the old version.
Millie
The Little Mermaid because Ariel never gives up on what she loves.
Emily
Beauty and the Beast
Holly
Frozen because it's catchy and magical and it teaches you to be who you want to be.
Madison
Pinocchio because he gets eaten by a whale.
Charlie
Star Wars The Force Awakens because it is better than the other films.
Zach
Shrek because he is green and amazing.
Dan
Humpty Dumpty because he is an egg and I crave eggs.
Johnny
Shrek because his character develops through the story.
Josh
Here are some comments from Primary 5 from ST Columba's RC Primary School Cupar, Fife, Scotland
I really like Jack and the Beanstalk because of his brave spirit and courage.
Adam J and Tom
We really like Cinderella because it is very creative and the ugly stepsisters are funny.
Catriona Owen A and Zain
I like sleeping beauty because she cuts her finger on a wheel.
Samantha
We aren't into many fairy tales, but quite like seeing fairy tales at pantomimes.
Ben T and Mairi
My favourite fairytale is goldilocks and the three bears because I really like the colours, the pictures and I really like the nice bear family.
Andrew
My favourite fairy-tale is Snow White because she is kind and caring and nice. I also like Cinderella because she is nice, caring, very brave, and pretty.
Athina and Daisy
I really like the Little Mermaid because it's kind of funny and I watch it on my laptop sometimes.
Nikola
And the pupils at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Rogerstone, South Wales have answered our questions in an unusual way. Have a look at these.
- Published2 April 2015