Is it possible that Native Americans sailed to North America?

Question

As opposed to the traditional theory of crossing the Bering Strait?

Answer 1

I believe they came over in 4 migratory waves, 3 over the baring stait land bridge and 1 over the Atlantic ocean...the descendants of the Ojibwe Indians....the Solutreans from Europe 20,000 years ago. Read about it in the following link:

Answer 2

It is possible; but, where do you propose they might have sailed from? Most Native Americans do not accept the "traditional theory" that their ancestors arrived in North America through the Bering Straits. We were, and are, forever.

Answer 3

A lot of strong evidence suggests that they did both, more or less. It suggets that they sailed right along side the Bering Strair instead of hiking over it. That way they never got lost or way out to see.
This explains how they migrated down to south America in only a few centuries.
I belieave this theory.
There were no big ships at the time, only little canoes. But if you are only 50 feet or so off the shore, then its not that much of a problem

Answer 4

Occam's Razor (the simplest theory is best) would point to the Bering Strait explanation. However, there are disturbing anomalies. How to explain the spear points found in (I think) New Mexico that were radiocarbon dated to 40,000 years B.P.? Any anthropologist who tried to make a case for their validity would soon lose his credentials.

And have you read Thor Heyerdahl's "Kon Tiki"? Yes, boat-building was primitive but ocean currents still made it possible to cross relying merely on wind and waves. The Pacific Islanders can read the water surface the way we read a road map.

Interesting question. I would have to say, Anything's possible....

Answer 5

MonkMonk got it right with the theory of Coastal Migration I believe. As to the comment about primitive boats and the difficulties involved. Our earthly ancestors were some extraordinary folks. Otherwise you and I wouldn't be here today. Current theories pontificate about a south to north migration. With the establishment of ancient cultures in South America compared to the sparsely populated northern reaches.

Answer 6

i mean maybe but i really think they came across the bering strait because at the time they would have sailed i dont know what kinda of food or ways of keeping food that would last for as long as it would take for them to get to north america

Answer 7

I have always believed that is exactly how they got here. They built a large ship and sailed to the America's from the Middle East. They left for religious reasons. They believed that they were being directed by God to leave, he also directed them how to build the Boat- Like he did with Noah.

You can find out more about their accounts at either of the two locations:

http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,1090-1,00.html

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents

Answer 8

there are a few theories regarding the population of the new world:

ice free corridor - migration over beringia when water levels were down (trapped in glaciers) you know that

coastal route - travel down the western coast using boats - sites are now underwater to determine the accuracy of this theory

transoceanic voyages - south pacific migration - is the navigational technology possible? how many people would have to come to begin a population. this theory is mostly disputed

Answer 9

Ship technology was very primitive back then. If they had anything, it would be a small one person boat for lakes or rivers. No group could have crossed the Pacific under those conditions. (And we know they got here before boat technology got any more advanced)

Answer 10

It is possible.