Who and When Was America Discovered? — Another Perspective
Americans get a day off work every October to celebrate Columbus Day, an annual holiday that commemorates the day on October 12, 1492, when the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus officially set foot in the Americas and claimed the land for Spain. Columbus is commonly credited with “discovering” America, but it would be more accurate to say that he introduced the Americas to Western Europe during his four voyages to the region between 1492 and 1502.
However, there were already people living in the Americas when Columbus arrived, and some scholars argue that other explorers, such as the Vikings, may have reached the Americas before Columbus.
The Bering land bridge, which connected Alaska and Siberia, was crossed by humans from Asia approximately no later than 15,000 years ago. The Clovis people, dating back to over 11,000 years ago, are believed to be the ancestors of nearly 80% of all indigenous people in the Americas.
Evidence indicates that Vikings visited Canada about 500 years before Columbus’s journey, with remains found at l’Anse Aux Meadows in Newfoundland. DNA analysis also indicates Native American genes in the genetic makeup of natives on Easter Island around 1280 AD, suggesting early transoceanic interactions between the two regions.
The Myth of Columbus Discovering America
The tale of Christopher Columbus unearthing America has been a long-standing belief. Yet, historians and indigenous scholars argue against it. When Columbus reached the Americas in 1492, he was not the first to arrive. The land was already home to the indigenous peoples, who had lived there for thousands of years. These people, including the Clovis and Pre-Clovis groups, are thought to have migrated from Asia over the Bering land bridge about 15,000 years ago.
Columbus’s Journey and Landing in the Americas
Despite the known presence of these societies, Columbus and his journey opened the door to heavy Western European influence. This influence included colonization and exploitation. Over time, these actions changed the Americas forever. Columbus Day has been observed on October 12 in America since 1937.
Since 1971, the Day has been officially recognized as a Federal holiday in the United States and is commemorated on the second Monday of every October. However, recent views on Columbus have raised concerns about celebrating someone who represents European colonialism. The ongoing removal of Columbus statues in several places has brought the issue to public attention.
The Existing Inhabitants of the Americas Before Columbus
The native peoples of the Americas were greatly impacted by the arrival of Columbus and other Europeans. Within 130 years of the first European encounter, 95 percent of the Native American population was lost. The establishment of European colonies led to wars, enslavement, and forced relocations. These actions completely changed the lives of the American Indigenous Peoples.
Various historians have presented differing perspectives on Columbus’s story through the ages. This diversity of views sparks questions on the appropriate way to remember him today. Changing how Columbus Day is marked is seen by some as an affront to tradition or an attempt to whitewash history. At the same time, others argue for celebrating the Indigenous Peoples, who were the true original inhabitants.
The Indigenous Peoples: The True First Americans
The indigenous peoples are often called the “true first Americans.” They got to the Americas from Asia. This was through the Bering land bridge about 15,000 years back. The original Americans are thought to include the Clovis and Pre-Clovis groups.
Theories on the Origins and Arrival of Indigenous Peoples
The Clovis people were the first known to travel to the Americas. They left a mark with special tools. These special tools show up a lot in New Mexico where they hunted Ice Age animals. But, in Pennsylvania, the Meadowcroft site has older evidence at over 12,000 years old. The Mungai knife found there is even 16,000 years old. This hints that other folks might have lived in the Americas before the Clovis people. These potential earlier settlers are called the Pre-Clovis people.
Archaeological Evidence of Early Human Settlements
Experts have found many sites that tell us about early life in the Americas. At Buttermilk Creek in Texas, over 19,000 tools were found. They’re over 15,000 years old. DNA studies show that Native Americans come from four moms and two dads. They likely came from East Asia. This was between 25,000 and 15,000 years ago. The first people might have arrived between 18,000 and 15,000 years ago.
New evidence links the arrival of people in North America to a big loss of animal species. These include camels and mammoths. This might show that as human numbers grew, the animals decreased. A big study showed signs that people were in North America more than 30,000 years ago. This question early ideas.
With many findings, we get a good look at the first Americans’ long history. This history started thousands of years before Europeans came by.
Voyages Before Columbus: The Vikings in North America
Many think Christopher Columbus found the Americas first. But, there’s strong proof the Vikings reached North America 500 years before him. They landed around 1000 AD in a place now known as Newfoundland, Canada. They called it “Vinland” because it had grapes and timber, things they needed for life but didn’t have in their home, Greenland.
The Vikings’ journey to Vinland happened in 1000 AD. Excavations at L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland show they were there before Columbus9. Led by Leif Eriksson, with 35 men, they built a village. This date matches closely with their arrival, proving them as the first Europeans in North America.
When Vikings met the locals, it wasn’t always friendly. This rough start led to them leaving after a brief stay. However, they had the know-how to keep coming back until the 1300s. This suggests they might have mingled more with the Native Americans than we knew.
In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson made Leif Eriksson Day official. It was a nod to the Viking’s first landing. Then, on October 9, 1825, a ship carrying Norwegian settlers came to the U.S. These events highlight the Vikings’ big role in American history.
The evidence tells us the Vikings were likely the true first Europeans in the Americas. Their story is a major part of the complex tale of America’s discovery. It shows our history isn’t as simple as we once thought.
Other Theories of Pre-Columbian Exploration
The Viking voyages to North America are well-documented. However, there are other interesting theories about pre-Columbian exploration. For example, some believe Irish monks, like Saint Brendan, reached North America in the 6th century. They claim Brendan sailed on a currach, a type of boat made from wood frames and animal skins.
The Irish Monk Legend
The story of Saint Brendan’s journey is often seen as a legend, not a fact. However, in 1976, Tim Severin was able to recreate the voyage. This added some credibility to the idea that the Irish might have explored the Americas early on.
The Chinese Exploration Theory
There’s also the claim that Chinese explorer Zheng He and his fleet visited the Americas in the 15th century. This would have happened before Columbus. However, most experts reject this “Chinese Exploration Theory” as false.
While the proof for these theories is weak, they’re still very interesting to many people. The ongoing discussion about America’s first discovery shows us a complex history. It makes us think about the Americas in many different ways.
Evidence of Ancient Contacts Across the Pacific
One fascinating point in this discussion is the proof of old contacts and exchanges across the Pacific Ocean. Take the sweet potato, for instance. It’s native to South America, yet it was in Polynesia as early as 1,000 years ago. This suggests that the two areas might have had contact before Columbus’ time.
The indigenous people of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) show another link. Genetic studies found they have a lot of Native American blood, indicating their meeting around 1280 AD. These facts go against the idea that Europeans were the first to contact the Americas. They point to a more intricate story of world connection a long time ago.
There’s more proof of ancient Pacific contact. Places like the Americas and Polynesia share some cultural practices and items. Researchers see connections in canoe types, fishing tactics, and farming ways. These links suggest people might have traveled and traded across oceans way before Europeans explored.
Such discoveries really make us think about how connected the old world was. They shake up the typical stories that focus on Europeans. As we learn more about the past, the story of discovering America gets more complex and interesting.
Columbus’s Legacy and Impact
While many people already lived in the Americas when Columbus arrived, his journeys changed the world. The Columbian Exchange, an event after his arrival, saw plants, animals, culture, and disease switch between the Americas and Europe.
This change was huge. It changed the landscapes and cultures of both continents. Sadly, it also caused great harm to the people living in the Americas. They suffered from European diseases and were often treated terribly by the newcomers.
The Columbian Exchange
In 1451, a baby boy was born in Genoa, Italy, who would later make history. His name was Christopher Columbus. He studied math, the stars, maps, and how to navigate on the sea. With the support of the Catholic monarchs of Spain, he set out on his now-famous voyage in 1492, discovering the Americas.
Columbus died in 1506. By then, his actions had started an important event. This event transferred people, animals, food, and diseases between the two worlds. It changed the global scene in many ways.
Colonization and Devastation of Native Populations
After Columbus and other Europeans arrived, the lives of the native people changed forever. The Taíno population dropped from 250,000 to just a few hundred within 60 years. This was due to the impact of newly brought diseases and the brutal colonization that started with Columbus’ journey.
Revisiting the Idea of “Discovery”
Finding the Americas is a controversial, Europe-focused idea that ignores the local people. The term “discovery” suggests the world did not know about America. But indigenous groups lived there for thousands of years before Europeans came. By questioning this view, we look closely at the Americas’ rich history. We also see the many cultures that have deep roots in America.
The story of Columbus finding America shows this Eurocentric view. Though Columbus had four trips and landed in the Americas on October 12, 1492, others were there before him. For instance, the Cherokees had settled in the Americas. So, the idea that Columbus was the first poses problems.
Moreover, this “discovery” idea misses the achievements of those who came before Columbus. There’s proof that groups like the Vikings might have visited the Americas earlier. Recognizing these past journeys helps us understand the Americas’ full story better.
Thinking about “discovery” this way comes from a colonial and European view. Reviewing and questioning this view offers a deeper look into America’s history. It also recognizes the challenges faced by the native people due to European arrival.
The Melting Pot of Civilizations in the Americas
The Americas carry a rich history, combining many cultures that have lived here for thousands of years. First were the indigenous people, numbering as many as 60 million across the continents by 1492. Then came Europeans, Africans, and Asians, adding even more diversity to the melting pot.
This blend of global influences has deeply affected the Americas’ growth. It shows a history far more diverse than the usual Euro-centric tales of “discovery”. Native Americans moved from Asia to America around 12 to 20,000 years ago. The oldest known human activities in Chile date back 14,500 years.
Agriculture started in Mesoamerica between 9,000 and 5,000 years ago. By 1,200 BCE, the region saw its first settled population. The Gulf Coast’s Olmec civilization, from 1,200 to 400 BCE, reached over 100,000 people by 500 CE.
When discussing who “discovered” the Americas, we must recognize the many groups who lived there. The ice sheets melted 15,000 years ago, allowing people into North America. Beringia’s land bridge closed 10,000–11,000 years ago due to sea level rise. Early basketry in North America is nearly 13,000 years old.
The Americas’ history proves how interconnected our world has always been. From the indigenous people to today, every group that settled here has left its mark. This has made the Americas a vibrant and diverse blend of cultures.
Conclusion
The story of America’s discovery is rich, and not just about Columbus finding it. Though Columbus’s journeys marked the start of European exploration, he wasn’t the first to land in the Americas. The people already living there for thousands of years were the true original inhabitants and discoverers of America.
Other groups like the Vikings and possibly ancient Asian and Polynesian civilizations may have also reached America first. This diverse history shows how our world’s civilizations are connected. It also calls for questioning accounts that mainly highlight European roles in discovery.
The story of exploring the Americas brings together many peoples and cultures over a long time. Today, it’s important we remember and respect the original inhabitants and challenge old stories. This way, we can better understand and learn from this important part of history.
Reference Links
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