Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The diffusionist view. Theories of pre-Columbian contact have been fairly popular in the Western world since the 16th century. Several reasons may account for the spread of these diffusionist theories, including political propaganda, apology of colonialism, and the backing of priority claims. Proponents of such contacts often stated or implied the ethnocentric premise that Native Americans — generally portrayed as savages — could not have developed the sophisticated techn ...

See also:

Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Overview, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The diffusionist view, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The isolationist view, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The Bering Land Bridge model, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The isolationist dogma, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Lessening of the dogma, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Bering Land Bridge model in question, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Feasibilty of trans-oceanic travels, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Historical long-range travels, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Modern experiments, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The Vikings in Newfoundland, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Claims based on cultural and biological similarities, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Polynesians, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Africans, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Egyptians and Mesopotamians, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Phoenicians Greek and Romans, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Chinese, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Indians, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Claims based on legends and documents, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Carthaginians, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Saint Brendan, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Prince Madoc of Wales, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Zichmni aka Robert Sinclair, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Late contacts, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Zheng He, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Spanish, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Portuguese, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Dutch, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Reverse contacts, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Caecilius Metellus, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Antonio Galvano, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Bartolomé de las Casas, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Lost continents flying saucers and La Merika, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Religious accounts, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Bibliography

Read more here: » Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact: Encyclopedia II - Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Overview

Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The diffusionist view. Theories of pre-Columbian contact have been fairly popular in the Western world since the 16th century. Several reasons may account for the spread of these diffusionist theories, including political propaganda, apology of colonialism, and the backing of priority claims. Proponents of such contacts often stated or implied the ethnocentric premise that Native Americans — generally portrayed as savages — could not have developed the sophisticated techn ...

See also:

Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Overview, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The diffusionist view, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The isolationist view, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The Bering Land Bridge model, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The isolationist dogma, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Lessening of the dogma, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Bering Land Bridge model in question, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Feasibilty of trans-oceanic travels, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Historical long-range travels, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Modern experiments, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - The Vikings in Newfoundland, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Claims based on cultural and biological similarities, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Polynesians, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Africans, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Egyptians and Mesopotamians, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Phoenicians Greek and Romans, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Chinese, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Indians, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Claims based on legends and documents, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Carthaginians, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Saint Brendan, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Culdee Monks, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Prince Madoc of Wales, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Zichmni aka Robert Sinclair, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Late contacts, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Zheng He, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Spanish, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Portuguese, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Dutch, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - English, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Reverse contacts, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Caecilius Metellus, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Antonio Galvano, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Bartolomé de las Casas, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Lost continents flying saucers and La Merika, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Religious accounts, Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Bibliography

Read more here: » Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact: Encyclopedia II - Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact - Overview

Cultural diffusion can happen in many ways. Migrating populations will carry their culture with them. Ideas can be carried by trans-cultural visitors, such as merchants, explorers, soldiers, diplomats, slaves, and hired artisans. Trans-cultural marriages between two neighboring or interspersed cultures will also do the trick. Among literate societies, diffusion can happen through letters or books (and, in modern times, through other media as well). Everett Rogers proved that, for diffusion of innovations, people consider awareness, in ...

See also:

Diffusion anthropology, Diffusion anthropology - Mechanism of diffusion, Diffusion anthropology - Diffusion theories, Diffusion anthropology - Theory contributors, Diffusion anthropology - Bibliography

Read more here: » Diffusion anthropology: Encyclopedia II - Diffusion anthropology - Mechanism of diffusion

The Columbian Exchange (also sometimes known as "The Grand Exchange") has been one of the significant events in the history of world ecology, agriculture, and culture. The term is used to describe the enormous widespread exchange of agricultural goods, livestock, slave labor, communicable diseases, and ideas between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres that occurred after 1492. That year, Christopher Columbus' first voyage launched an era of large-scale contact between the Old and the New World that resulted in this eco ...

Including:

• Columbian Exchange - Articles
• Columbian Exchange - Lists
• Columbian Exchange - Sources

Read more here: » Columbian Exchange: Encyclopedia - Columbian Exchange

Supporters and critics alike have long attempted to use archaeology to support their respective views of the origin(s) of the Book of Mormon. Although the Book of Mormon is considered an inspired sacred text by the entire Latter Day Saint movement, not all Latter Day Saint scholars, or Latter Day Saints, accept the view that the Book of Mormon is an actual history of any Native American people. As a matter of faith, most Latter Day Saints have traditionally interpreted the book as an actual history of the Native American peo ...

Including:

• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - State of archeological research
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Mormon studies
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Proposed Book of Mormon real world setting
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Lehi's Arabian journey setting
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - American civilizations
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Archaeological and Genetic problems for the Book of Mormon
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Descriptions with disputed archaeological evidence
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Genetic studies
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - LDS cultural belief
• Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Smithsonian's use of Book of Mormon

Read more here: » Archaeology and the Book of Mormon: Encyclopedia - Archaeology and the Book of Mormon

The so-called Age of Discovery was a period from the early 15th century and continuing into the early 17th century, during which European ships traveled around the world to search for new trading routes and partners to feed burgeoning capitalism in Europe. In the process, Europeans encountered peoples and mapped lands previously unknown to them. Among the most famous explorers of the period were Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Pedro Álvares Cabral, John Cabo ...

Including:

• Age of Discovery - Exploration by land
• Age of Discovery - Exploration begins in Portugal
• Age of Discovery - Discovery of the Americas
• Age of Discovery - Decline of the Portuguese monopoly
• Age of Discovery - Northern European involvement
• Age of Discovery - Conquest of Siberia
• Age of Discovery - Effect on Europe
• Age of Discovery - End of the Age of Exploration

Read more here: » Age of Discovery: Encyclopedia - Age of Discovery

Fusang (扶桑) is a country described by a Buddhist missionary, Hei-Shin (慧深) in 499 CE, as a place 20,000 Chinese miles (around 1,500 kilometers) beyond the sea to the east of China. Hei-Shin went by ship to Fusang, and upon his return reported his findings to the Chinese Emperor. His descriptions are recorded in the Liang Shu (History of the Liang Dynasty, by Yao Silian, 7th century). A common interpretation of the term "Fusang" is Japan, although in Hei-Shin's report Fusang is presented as distinct from the statelet of ...

Read more here: » Fusang: Encyclopedia - Fusang

Junks were originally developed during the Han Dynasty (220 BC-200 AD). Junk ship - 2nd century junks Han Dynasty. The 3rd century book "Strange Things of the South" (南州異物志) by Wan Chen (萬震) describes junks capable of carrying 700 people together with 260 tons of cargo ("more than 10,000 "斛"). He explains the ship's design as follows: "The four sails do not face directly forward, but are set obliquely, and so arranged that they can all be fixed in the same direction, ...

See also:

Junk ship, Junk ship - Design, Junk ship - Sail plan, Junk ship - Hull design, Junk ship - History, Junk ship - 2nd century junks Han Dynasty, Junk ship - 10th-13th century junks Song Dynasty, Junk ship - 14th century junks Yuan Dynasty, Junk ship - 15th-17th century junks Ming Dynasty, Junk ship - 19th century junks Qing Dynasty

Read more here: » Junk ship: Encyclopedia II - Junk ship - History

The prelude to the Age of Exploration was a series of European expeditions crossing Eurasia by land in the late Middle Ages. While the Mongols had threatened Europe with pillage and destruction they also unified much of Eurasia creating trade routes and communication lines stretching from the Middle East to China. A series of Europeans took advantage of these to explore eastwards. These were almost all Italians as the trade between Europe and the Middle East was almost completely controlled by traders from the Italian city states. Their clos ...

See also:

Age of Discovery, Age of Discovery - Exploration by land, Age of Discovery - Exploration begins in Portugal, Age of Discovery - Discovery of the Americas, Age of Discovery - Decline of the Portuguese monopoly, Age of Discovery - Northern European involvement, Age of Discovery - Conquest of Siberia, Age of Discovery - Effect on Europe, Age of Discovery - End of the Age of Exploration

Read more here: » Age of Discovery: Encyclopedia II - Age of Discovery - Exploration by land

The 1421 theory is partially influenced by Charles Hapgood's theory. Menzies bases his theory on Chinese shipwrecks, old maps, surviving Chinese literature from the time, and accounts written by navigators like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. Menzies also believes that unanswered structures like the Newport Tower and the Bimini Road were constructed by Zheng He's men. 1421 hypothesis - Maps. Several maps were used by Menzies: The Kangnido map (混一疆理歷代國都之圖 ...

See also:

1421 hypothesis, 1421 hypothesis - Methodology, 1421 hypothesis - Maps, 1421 hypothesis - Other evidence, 1421 hypothesis - Criticism, 1421 hypothesis - Reactions, 1421 hypothesis - Achievement

Read more here: » 1421 hypothesis: Encyclopedia II - 1421 hypothesis - Methodology

Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Descriptions with disputed archaeological evidence. The Book of Mormon states that there were pre-Columbian peoples that were literate, had knowledge of Old World languages, and possessed Old World derived writing systems. (E.g. 1 Nephi 13:23 et. seq.) They smelted metal and made tools and weapons of iron, steel, and brass. (E.g. Ether 7:9, 10:23) They owned domesticated horses and cattle. They possessed chariots. (E.g. Alma 18:9-12) The people covered the "entire land." The c ...

See also:

Archaeology and the Book of Mormon, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - State of archeological research, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Mormon studies, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Proposed Book of Mormon real world setting, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Lehi's Arabian journey setting, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - American civilizations, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Archaeological and Genetic problems for the Book of Mormon, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Descriptions with disputed archaeological evidence, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Genetic studies, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - LDS cultural belief, Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Smithsonian's use of Book of Mormon

Read more here: » Archaeology and the Book of Mormon: Encyclopedia II - Archaeology and the Book of Mormon - Archaeological and Genetic problems for the Book of Mormon

This leads to a pre-Clovis culture theory and a variety of differing migration models to explain the problems associated with the Clovis-based theory. Moving into a “long chronology” model requires a new way of looking at the Americas. One method is to look toward an entirely different continent, Australia. There have been well-dated stratigraphic studies that point to people entering Australia some 40,000 years ago. At this period Australia was not connected to another continent, which leads to the assumption that it was reached by wate ...

See also:

Models of migration to the New World, Models of migration to the New World - Starting with the Basics, Models of migration to the New World - Understanding the Debate, Models of migration to the New World - Land Bridge theory, Models of migration to the New World - Synopsis, Models of migration to the New World - Clovis Culture, Models of migration to the New World - Problems with Clovis migration models, Models of migration to the New World - Coastal Migration, Models of migration to the New World - Pacific coastal model, Models of migration to the New World - Atlantic coastal model, Models of migration to the New World - Problems with coastal migration models, Models of migration to the New World - Conclusion

Read more here: » Models of migration to the New World: Encyclopedia II - Models of migration to the New World - Coastal Migration

Christopher Columbus (1451 – 20 May 1506) was an explorer and trader who crossed the Atlantic Ocean and reached the Americas on October 12, 1492 under the flag of Castile. History places a great significance on his landing in America in 1492, with the entire period of the history of the Americas before this date usually known as Pre-Columbian, and the anniversary of this event, Columbus Day, celebrated in many countries in the Americas. Although there is evidence of Pre-Columbian trans-oceanic contact, and it is questionable whether ...

Including:

• Christopher Columbus - Background
• Christopher Columbus - Early life
• Christopher Columbus - Columbus' idea
• Christopher Columbus - Columbus' campaign for funding
• Christopher Columbus - Voyages
• Christopher Columbus - First voyage
• Christopher Columbus - Second voyage
• Christopher Columbus - Third voyage and arrest
• Christopher Columbus - Fourth and final voyage
• Christopher Columbus - Later life
• Christopher Columbus - Columbus' national origin
• Christopher Columbus - Columbus' language
• Christopher Columbus - Perceptions of Columbus
• Christopher Columbus - Columbus as hero
• Christopher Columbus - Columbus as villain
• Christopher Columbus - Physical appearance

Read more here: » Christopher Columbus: Encyclopedia - Christopher Columbus

Menzies' hypotheses have found no support among historians. "Examination of the book's central claims reveals they are uniformly without substance" [1]. The 1421 hypothesis is based on documents of debatable provenance (the Piri Reis map, the Vinland map) and on original interpretation of accepted documents (Fra Mauro ma ...

See also:

1421 hypothesis, 1421 hypothesis - Methodology, 1421 hypothesis - Maps, 1421 hypothesis - Other evidence, 1421 hypothesis - Criticism, 1421 hypothesis - Reactions, 1421 hypothesis - Achievement

Read more here: » 1421 hypothesis: Encyclopedia II - 1421 hypothesis - Criticism

The Zeno map refers to a map of the North Atlantic first published in 1558 in Venice by Nicolo Zeno, a descendant of a person by the same name, Nicolo Zeno, of the Zeno brothers. The younger Zeno published the map, along with a series of letters, with the claim that he had discovered them in a storeroom in his family's house in Venice. According to his claim, the map and letters were made around the year 1400 and purport to describe a voyage by the Zeno brothers made in the 1390s under the direction of a prince named Zichmni. The voyage supposedly traversed the North Atlantic and, according ...

Including:

• Zeno map - External link

Read more here: » Zeno map: Encyclopedia - Zeno map

Saint Brendan of Clonfert or Bréanainn of Clonfert (c. 484 – c. 578) called "the Navigator" or "the Voyager", is one of the early Irish monastic saints whose legends have overshadowed their history. He was born in Ciarraight Luachra, near Tralee in County Kerry, Ireland, in 484 AD; he died at Enachduin, (now Annaghdown), in 577, aged 93. He was baptized at Tubrid, near Ardfert, by Bishop Erc. For five years he was educated under Saint Ita, "the Brigid of Munster", and he completed his studies under Erc, who ordained him prie ...

Including:

• Brendan - See Also
• Brendan - External link

Read more here: » Brendan: Encyclopedia - Brendan

America's Stonehenge, once known as Mystery Hill, is the site of a number of large rocks and stone formations scattered around roughly 30 acres (120,000 m²) in the town of Salem, New Hampshire, in the northeast United States. The site has become a popular tourist attraction, with appeal to believers in New Age systems. Some say the site could be an astronomical observatory built by some unknown, pre-Columbian civilization. They argue that some stones are encased in trees that may have sprouted before the arr ...

Including:

• America's Stonehenge - External link
• America's Stonehenge - Books

Read more here: » America's Stonehenge: Encyclopedia - America's Stonehenge

As the development of this hypothesis is relatively new, Menzies has yet to be able to establish a defined theory. He modifies and updates his theory from time to time based on newly discovered evidence. His new findings are usually bigger, bolder, and much less traditional than his previous ones. For example, he now claims some of Zheng He's ships travelled as far as Spain. He also now alleges that the Chinese records of the voyages were never, in ...

See also:

1421 hypothesis, 1421 hypothesis - Methodology, 1421 hypothesis - Maps, 1421 hypothesis - Other evidence, 1421 hypothesis - Criticism, 1421 hypothesis - Reactions, 1421 hypothesis - Achievement

Read more here: » 1421 hypothesis: Encyclopedia II - 1421 hypothesis - Reactions

The nations outside of Iberia refused to acknowledge the Treaty of Tordesillas. France, the Netherlands, and Britain each had a long maritime tradition and, despite Iberian protections, the new technologies and maps soon made their way north. The first of these missions (1497) was that of the British funded John Cabot. It was the first of a series of French and British missions exploring North America. Spain had largely ignored the northern part of the Americas as it had few people and far fewer riches than Central America. In 1525, G ...

See also:

Age of Discovery, Age of Discovery - Exploration by land, Age of Discovery - Exploration begins in Portugal, Age of Discovery - Discovery of the Americas, Age of Discovery - Decline of the Portuguese monopoly, Age of Discovery - Northern European involvement, Age of Discovery - Conquest of Siberia, Age of Discovery - Effect on Europe, Age of Discovery - End of the Age of Exploration

Read more here: » Age of Discovery: Encyclopedia II - Age of Discovery - Northern European involvement

In 1552 Russian tsar Ivan IV the Terrible conquered the Kazan khanate, which opened new opportunities in conquests in the East. In 1580 Yermak entered Siberia with a band of 1636 men, following the Tagil and Tura rivers. Next year they were on the Tobol, and 500 men successfully laid siege to Isker, the residence of Khan Kuchum, in the neighbourhood of what is now Tobolsk. Kuchum fled to the steppes, abandoning his domains to Yermak, who, according to tradition, purchased by the present o ...

See also:

Age of Discovery, Age of Discovery - Exploration by land, Age of Discovery - Exploration begins in Portugal, Age of Discovery - Discovery of the Americas, Age of Discovery - Decline of the Portuguese monopoly, Age of Discovery - Northern European involvement, Age of Discovery - Conquest of Siberia, Age of Discovery - Effect on Europe, Age of Discovery - End of the Age of Exploration

Read more here: » Age of Discovery: Encyclopedia II - Age of Discovery - Conquest of Siberia