Article

2007-12-03 Science & Technology

Map that named America is a puzzle for researchers

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Posted by anonymous5089 2007-12-03 12:32|| || Front Page|| [5 views ] Top

#1 The map gives a reasonably correct depiction of the west coast of South America. But according to history, Vasco Nunez de Balboa did not reach the Pacific by land until 1513, and Ferdinand Magellan did not round the southern tip of the continent until 1520.

"So this is a rather compelling map to say, 'How did they come to that conclusion,'" Hebert said.

Posted by Icerigger">Icerigger 2007-12-03 13:24|| coonlakebeach.com]">[coonlakebeach.com] 2007-12-03 13:24|| Front Page Top

#2 Why did the mapmaker name the territory America and then change his mind later? How was he able to draw South America so accurately? Why did he put a huge ocean west of America years before European explorers discovered the Pacific?

Occam's Razor suggests fraud.

Posted by Excalibur 2007-12-03 14:48|| 2007-12-03 14:48|| Front Page Top

#3 An old Biblical Archaeology Review article tells of The Paraibo Inscription, supposedly by Hiram, King of Tyre's, lost seafaring Phoenicians. The inscription purports to be a lost sailing vessel from around the time of Solomon (ca. 1500 BC), blown off course as they sailed around the land of Ham (Africa). The prevailing winds & ocean currents mean it is theoretically possible but most dismissed it as fraud. Their ancient seafaring capabilities, however,are vastly underestimated my most people. Also, the authors of The Hiram Key say the Knights Templar had their own fleet of ships and were armed with an ancient ME prophecy regarding following a western star called 'Merica' to a new Promised Land, contending they founded the New World before Columbus, too. It is quite possible a German monk had Templar maps.

Posted by Danielle 2007-12-03 15:41|| 2007-12-03 15:41|| Front Page Top

#4 It is IMO a certainty that sailors besides the Norse from Europe, Asia and the Middle East made landfall in the Westrn Hemisphere before Columbus. But Cris gets the credit because with him it stuck. His voyage was a true watershed in World History. A lot of the other voyages were probably accidents and the voyagers might not of made it home. But the riddle of the maps (there's more tahn this one) is somethong else.

Posted by Chedderhead 2007-12-03 17:36|| 2007-12-03 17:36|| Front Page Top

#5 Geeze they have found rune stones in Oklahoma for crying out loud. Who cares about Columbus?

Hardly think that's an accident.

Google Heavener Runestone State Park

Posted by Icerigger">Icerigger 2007-12-03 20:02|| coonlakebeach.com]">[coonlakebeach.com] 2007-12-03 20:02|| Front Page Top

#6 were probably accidents

Like those that caused an Egyptian female mummy from time of New Kingdom to contain generous amount of cocaine (and also traces of nicotine). Which proves two things,
1. Getting doped is as old as mankind itself.
2. Since coca does grow only in South America, there had to be supply lines.

The routes were likely known only to Phoenician traders which undoubtedly guarded the knowledge as secret, but information fragments found their way into Alexandria library and Ptolemaios then compiled it, which likely served as a basis for later maps. Pity that the library was destroyed by fire and 400,000 scrolls in it went up in smoke, too. Several thousand of scolls were saved, though.

Posted by twobyfour 2007-12-03 20:50|| 2007-12-03 20:50|| Front Page Top

#7 From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Banks -

Several navigators, including Basque fishermen, are known to have fished these waters in the 15th century. In the 15th century some texts refer to a land called Bacalao, the land of the codfish, which is possibly Newfoundland. However, it was not until John Cabot reached the New World in 1497 that the existence of these fishing grounds became generally known in Europe

What Columbus achieved was not 'being first' but being the one who made it 'public' and kept his standing. Of course Galileo and Copernicus also went 'public' with their discoveries and didn't keep their standing.

Posted by Procopius2k 2007-12-03 20:52|| 2007-12-03 20:52|| Front Page Top

#8 Daniell mentioned Tyre. Scripturally, the ships of Tyre are described as being better built better than the ships Columbus navigated. Even the sails were colored purple, which gives one the hint of how much work went into the fleets of the mighty world wide trading center of Tyre.

Posted by Pliny Pheath1680 2007-12-03 21:37|| 2007-12-03 21:37|| Front Page Top

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