Is it possible the Chinese discovered America first?

Question

I just finished watching the DVD 1421: The Year that China Discovered America. Fascinating stuff. It all sounded very plausible, but I don't think historians would ever change their ideas on who discovered the "New World". Nonetheless, it is an exciting theory.

Answer 1

It's quite possible; however, as with many historical theories, more research remains to be done. (Personally I'm holding out for St Brendan and his rowing monks, myself).

Answer 2

There is no doubt that the Inuit (Eskimos), North and South American Indians are from Asiatic regions. The finer question is from which part of the Asiatic? Mongolia, China, India, Indo-China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Middle East, and/or Anatolia? If you step back, and look at the physical similarities of the Inca, Aztec, and Maya peoples, you'd be hard pressed to say they aren't of Mongolian, Korean, and/or Chinese ancestory. If you look at the physical and spriritual aspects of the Inuit, you'd have to be insane to say they aren't of Korean and/or Siberian ancestory. The North American Native Americans look to be the product of both cultures and Malaysian ancestory, especially because the North Am Nat Amer used canoes to navigate rivers and not log rafts like the Chinese, Indo-Chinese, Japanese, and South Am Nat Amer's.

To say somebody "discovered" something that already existed to a civilized people is a bit troublesome. Lets say the Chinese did discover America, they discovered a lot of things, but because they were reigned in under one kingdom there was little need to take advantage of all of their discoveries, let alone really care about a land so far away and uninhabited. There is also strong evidence that both the Vikings and Britons had made contact with American tribes.

The point is this, America was opened and revealed when Columbus challenged both religious leaders and government leaders that he could find an easier route to India, but came upon Jamacia and the Antilles instead. After Europe found out, the realization to them was "Why try to colonize each other? We can colonize this 'New World!'"

That was the discovery that lead to America, so in my opinion Christopher Columbus discovered America. The Chinese expanded their knowlege, and Vikings found new plunder.

Answer 3

I think historians have already changed their ideas on who "discovered" the new world in the past few decades. Now Lief Ericsson, the Viking from around AD 1000, seems the best bet. We've found evidence of a short-lived Viking colony in Newfoundland, so technically, he's the first to "discover" the Americas.

But if we're talking earlier than that, as in human migration all over the world... I don't think you could classify the people who crossed the land bridge between Asia and Alaska as Chinese. The culture we think of as Chinese only developed into a coherant group thousands of years later. And those Chinese weren't very interested in exploration via the sea. There were some anomalies, like with Zheng He and the treasure ships, but that was only under the emperor Yongle and interest faded away from there. They certainly had the technology, but not much of a drive.

Answer 4

I doubt that very much.We do not know where the natives came from, but one thing is sure the Vikings with Leif Ericson, who lead the expedition, were the first to discover America. Officially it was Columbus in 1492 who came with 3 ships from Spain, who discovered America.Although he made a mistake when arriving to America, he thought he had reached India. Since then the natives are called Indians.

Answer 5

I think it very plausible... but truly the first people to discover America was the people who crossed over the Bering Straights to later become the American Indians.

As for explorers that discovered America... Leif Ericson also discovered America before Columbus but its of little consequence to the history books.

Answer 6

The native Indians were the first to live in America but the vikings discovered it first !! Old ruins have been found dating back before Columbus !! There are so many theories !! Your right even with these facts historians will not change their view !!

Answer 7

It's not only possible, it's very possible. The Mongols probably crossed the ice bridge that forms between Siberia and Alaska every year. That would put the date even farther back than the discovery by sailing vessel. Besides, how can you discover a Country that already has people on it. That always seemed silly to me!

Answer 8

There is archeological evidence that Scandinavians lived in America as early as 1000. One of the best known Scandinavian settlement sites is located in L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Canada:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/nl/meadows/index_e.asp

But, as other posters pointed out, this is a moot point; America was discovered by people who settled there thousands of years ago...

Answer 9

there is been various dialogue on the origins of the 1st settlers of u . s . of america who later grew to alter into ordinary simply by fact the community individuals. they are pronounced to have come from Serbia or someplace in Asia extra advantageous than they are pronounced to have come from everywhere else.

Answer 10

depends on what you mean by Discover

Columbus discovered America, because his visit lead to colonization and etc.

Others were here first, but didn't do anything about it, Vikings, Chinese, others