Who "discovered" America? (split from "Uplink" thread)

[Smith P.]

There is more - some historical researchers pointed to maps what exist before Columbus and did clearly show shapes of Americas.

 

[Peter Parker]

Of course Chief. No disrespect intended, however I was refering to European "discovery" of North America, rather than the peoples who had already found their way here thousands of years before.

I understand completely and trust me i saw no disrespect. but my pint is how totally and completely ridiculous it si to worry about which Europeean found the Americas first.

 

[TNGTony]

Are you guys talking about the "vinland maps" whose authenticity is still being debated? There was a Nova about this.

I guess my point is being lost. YES the norse knew about it and did nothing of consequence several hundred hears before. Outside of the the Nordic areas there was no knowledge of the voyages. By the time of Columbus' sailing the Norse countries had LEGENDS (not documents) of the land to the west.

Also I know Columbus wasn't setting off to find the New World, but it was his discovery (He and everyone in his society did not know it existed--I can't stress that enough--the entire European society--all the European powers at the time, England, Spain, France, what is now Italy, Prussia was ignorant to the existence of the continent).

Almost all great discoveries are complete accidents that are timed perfectly to allow others to see the benefit of the accident. Teflon, Microwaves and other technological items we take for granted were complete accidental discoveries too.

It was Columbus who set off the chain of events that changed the entire world. That is the point. He removed the covers from the eyes of all the great powers to come and first exploit, the colonize the new world he found for them (most of us).

See ya
Tony

 

[jayn_j]

DISCOVER
transitive verb
1 a: to make known or visible : expose barchaic : display
2 a: to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time : find <discover the solution> b: find out <discovered he was out of gas>

Actually, discover doesn't mean it is new to everybody, only new to you. Babies discover their toes. The fact that generations of babies before them have also discovered these toes in no way lessens the significance of this discovery TO THIS BABY.

 

[thecristman]

Grog of the Cave Bear Clan was dubbed "first person to discover America" in the Year 25,343 BC by the elders of the Tribe as he was the first to cross the Bering Strait ice bridge in search of wholly mammoths....

 

[Bobby]

Grog of the Cave Bear Clan was dubbed "first person to discover America" in the Year 25,343 BC by the elders of the Tribe as he was the first to cross the Bering Strait ice bridge in search of wholly mammoths....

Ayla of the Cave Bear Clan was also the first to commit an act that some people don't call a sex act..... Of course both of these events are from a series of fictional novels, so they don't count in this discussion.

 

[thecristman]

Ayla of the Cave Bear Clan was also the first to commit an act that some people don't call a sex act..... Of course both of these events are from a series of fictional novels, so they don't count in this discussion.

If you are thinking that these assumptions come form the book "The Clan of the Cave Bear"' you are sadly mistaken. That book was fiction, but the group as a people actually existed and is documented. So they do count.

 

[Bobby]

If you are thinking that these assumptions come form the book "The Clan of the Cave Bear"' you are sadly mistaken. That book was fiction, but the group as a people actually existed and is documented. So they do count.

Links to your documentation........

 

[ats7627]

Leif Erikson would quibble with you about that one.

All I want to know is, what does a former teen heartthrob have to do with the discovery of America?

 

[Bobby]

Leif Erikson, the actor, was born in 1911. Are you sure you don't mean Leif Garrett?

 

[ats7627]

I was trying to make a joke Bobby, hence the after my post. At least it made me laugh when I thought of it.

 

[TNGTony]

I thought it was funny.

See ya
Tony