African and Nordic Presence in the Americas before 1492
Module 1
Comment on the claims that Nordic and West African people came to the Americas before ColuThe West Africans:
The West Africans:
As early as the 1920s, Leo Weiner, the originator of the thoughts that Africans made the journey before Columbus, gave evidence to support his ideas. In that specific year, he published, Africa and the Discovery of the Americas, making his points clear to the world. These beliefs and findings were appreciated by few but ignored by many. Eventually, historians have come to develop upon them. Ivan Sertima, They came before Columbus (1972), wrote extensively on modern discoveries and because of him the world had a new opinion of the thought. It is needless to say, that some historians simply ignored it, but others saw it as a challenge to go against their findings. One historian Michael Coe, author of such historic piece as the Mayas, and many other aspects of Pre and Post Columbian times, offered much evidences to the cause.
Written and Visual
The findings and diaries of Columbus-
Columbus was actually the first person to discover the presence of Africans in the Americas. Columbus himself reported that the Native Amerindians of Hispaniola had told him that, “There had came to Hispaniola people who have the tops of their spears made of metal, which they call guanine, of which he had sent samples to the Sovereigns (their Kings and Queens) to have them assayed, when it was found that 32 parts, 18 were gold, six of silver and eight of copper.” These samples were sent to Spain on a mail boat and were found to be identical to what was being forged in African Guiana.
Archaeological: These are the most emphasized evidence used by Ivan Sertima and Leo Wiener in arguing their case. Many historians have come to appreciate these evidences, not to say that many didn’t question them before doing so. Many of the archaeological evidences can also be considered logical evidences.
The Pyramids: Historians believe that the step pyramids found in
Comment on the claims that Nordic and West African people came to the Americas before ColuThe West Africans:
The West Africans:
As early as the 1920s, Leo Weiner, the originator of the thoughts that Africans made the journey before Columbus, gave evidence to support his ideas. In that specific year, he published, Africa and the Discovery of the Americas, making his points clear to the world. These beliefs and findings were appreciated by few but ignored by many. Eventually, historians have come to develop upon them. Ivan Sertima, They came before Columbus (1972), wrote extensively on modern discoveries and because of him the world had a new opinion of the thought. It is needless to say, that some historians simply ignored it, but others saw it as a challenge to go against their findings. One historian Michael Coe, author of such historic piece as the Mayas, and many other aspects of Pre and Post Columbian times, offered much evidences to the cause.
Written and Visual
The findings and diaries of Columbus-
Columbus was actually the first person to discover the presence of Africans in the Americas. Columbus himself reported that the Native Amerindians of Hispaniola had told him that, “There had came to Hispaniola people who have the tops of their spears made of metal, which they call guanine, of which he had sent samples to the Sovereigns (their Kings and Queens) to have them assayed, when it was found that 32 parts, 18 were gold, six of silver and eight of copper.” These samples were sent to Spain on a mail boat and were found to be identical to what was being forged in African Guiana.
Archaeological: These are the most emphasized evidence used by Ivan Sertima and Leo Wiener in arguing their case. Many historians have come to appreciate these evidences, not to say that many didn’t question them before doing so. Many of the archaeological evidences can also be considered logical evidences.
The Pyramids: Historians believe that the step pyramids found in