Articles

Visitors to America in pre-Columbian time

Visitors to America in pre-Columbian time

By Kevin Stanton

Master’s Thesis, University of Arizona, 1990

bat-creek-tablet

Abstract: In the present era, scientists and researchers have gathered together a considerable amount of evidence which putatively demonstrates that contact occurred between the Old and New Worlds far in advance of either Columbus or the Vikings. This paper will describe and examine a small part of this evidence as well as provide a background summary of how pre-Columbian history was constructed. The emphasis of this paper reveals how epigraphic research has become the principle element in current investigations.

Introduction: The question of early contacts between the Old and New Worlds has been a hotly disputed topic for most of the nearly five hundred years since Columbus made landfall in 1492. Historically, the scientific establishment has viewed the question with truculent consensus: with the exception of the Vikings, THERE WERE NO CONTACTS IN PRE-COLUMBIAN TIME. Advocates for the opposing viewpoint contest this premise and increasingly have surfaced with extensive data emanating from a wide array of fields, including archaeology, anthropology, linguistics, epigraphy, geology, theology, astronomy, oceanography, cartography, biology, and others. Collectively their data seeks to challenge the popular scientific perspective. The combined efforts of these researchers, whose studies merit consideration, are aimed at overcoming what they contend to be a long-standing bias that dominates the scientific community concerning this topic.



If a bias exists, it will have to weather an imminent battle likely to occur in the near future. The last twenty years have produced a veritable avalanche of new material which is certain to enter the realm of public awareness as we approach the quincentennial of Columbus’ “discovery.” The possibility that mainstream scientists will take a more objective view of this topic remains to be seen. However, regardless of one’s beliefs or loyalties, the evidence should be judged on its own merits. After all, what could be so extraordinary in appearance, substance, and form that its very existence challenges many of the deep-seated beliefs held by science regarding American pre-history. One could argue that if pieces don’t fit the puzzle, they should be investigated rather than ignored as has been the routine in the past 100 years.

Click here to read this thesis from the University of Arizona

Sponsored Content