Do you thik any european arrived to America before Columbus?

Answer 1

Firstly, it appears that native Americans entered the continent from Alaska.

Secondly, the Vikings. There is evidence in the sagas and archaeological remains have been found of them.

Thirdly, it has been suggested that the Basques fished for cod off Newfoundland and that whilst they did not settle they landed to salt their fish for tranport back for Europe. Part of this suggestion is that they concealed their knowledge of America for commerical reasons.

Answer 2

Yes the Vikings landed in North America long before Columbus.

Answer 3

The theory that the Vikings made landfall in about 1000 A.D. under the leadership of Leif Ericson, son of Eric the Red in the area of Newfoundland, which they called Vinland is widly accepted.

There is also a theory that Portuguese sailors in the early 15th century were sometimes blown off course while trying to sail down the western african coast. These sailors would have landed in present day Brazil. They never left any permanent settlements until later on, but there is debated physical evidence.

The tradewinds blow down the coast of Africa, making it a very easy sail until one reaches present day Senegal or the Gambia. Then the prevelent winds blow westerward, which would easily push an errant ship to Brazil, which is really not that far away.

These westerward winds are so strong that until the early 15th century, there was hardly ever an attempt to sail father down Africa, even though it is physically very close to the iberian pennisula.

This Portuguese thing is still pretty speculative and I wouldn't point out the theory without mentioning that it is still a very speculative one.

Answer 4

We Canadians are taught (and believe) that the Vikings arrived at what is called L'Anse aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland 500 years before Columbus.
UNESCO has delared this to be world heritage site.

Why, I wonder, do most Americans still think it was Columbus who arrived first?

Answer 5

There were many, probably too many to mention.

Phoenicians
possibly St. Brendan from Ireland
Madoc - now that is a new one
Vikings
Orientals

And for the person who answer with the Melungeon site, more and more evidence has appeared that they were from Carthage, which was founded by Phoenicans - but the Melungeons call themselves "Mountain Portuguese."

Answer 6

There is a theory that all the continents were connected at one time and that Native Americans may come from Eastern Europe, perhaps Siberia or further east.

Answer 7

Absolutely--archeologists have found Viking settlements which predate Columbus by a long time.

Answer 8

100% Vikings were in Newfoundland (Canada) well before Columbus. (as already stated)

This link contains a good summary of other claimants:

http://www.heritage.nf.ca/exploration/precabot.html

Answer 9

I think it is pretty well established that the Vikings came 200-300 years earlier, but did not establish any permanent settlements.

Answer 10

yes, the vikings came to north america before. you can still see the ruins of their houses at a place in newfoundland called l'Anse aux Meadows.