"The mother of our particular hobbit... what is a hobbit? I suppose hobbits need some description nowadays, since they have become rare and shy of the Big People, as they call us. " ~~ The Hobbit - J.R.R.Tolkien
I believe Middle Earth is presented as not only being linked to the real world, but as having been the history of our real world. Tolkien didn't lean too hard on this idea, but particularly at the start of the Hobbit from whence the above quote comes it shows that Middle Earth is indeed Earth. The clue I'd say is in the name "Middle Earth" - "Earth".
I don't mean to be a nit picker, have yourself a good day whomever might be reading this.
I believe Middle Earth is presented as not only being linked to the real world, but as having been the history of our real world. Tolkien didn't lean too hard on this idea, but particularly at the start of the Hobbit from whence the above quote comes it shows that Middle Earth is indeed Earth. The clue I'd say is in the name "Middle Earth" - "Earth".
I don't mean to be a nit picker, have yourself a good day whomever might be reading this.