contacts between ancient world and America

[eugene]

I have read somewhere about the foundings of Roman coins on Brazilian coast. So, some researchers suggested that several separate European ships probably reached America before Vikings. Or, may be, this were archaeological falsification?

[Jona Lendering]

I have read somewhere about the foundings of Roman coins on Brazilian coast. So, some researchers suggested that several separate European ships probably reached America before Vikings. Or, may be, this were archaeological falsification?

As far as I know, the only object from a controled excavation is a small, 3d century head, made of terracotta, securely found in a twelfth-century tomb. Perhaps a merchant was blown off course?

Robert Heine-Geldern, "A Roman Find from Pre-Columbian Mexico", in: Anthropological Journal of Canada, 5/4 (1967) 21-22

[Timotheus]

When was the first ship built that had any chance of crossing the ocean, even at the short Africa to Brazil point and survive?

A Viking boat may be able to pull it off but I have my doubts that anything built by the Romans or earlier would have survived in the kind of sea conditions needed to blow someone far enough off course to get to North America or South America.

[Epictetus]

I think it's possible. People have travelled enormous distances in life boats. Then there was Kon Tiki. It may not have been easy, but strange things can happen at sea.

[M. Demetrius]

The big issue would have been fresh water. The ocean has fish, and various dried foods can be transported, but water is required for survival.

Interesting question, 8) .

[Phaichtos]

Interesting question indeed. I've also heard about the possibility of Solutrean culture Europeans following the ice in the North Atlantic to the new world many thousands of years ago as well, but this to me always seemed a little "out there". It's certainly possible, esp if the hunters were following game Inuit style and there was a storm or a quick ice floe or something, but still...

[D B Campbell]

I have read somewhere about the foundings of Roman coins on Brazilian coast.

We had this discussion last year.