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who really discovered america ?

### Who Really Discovered America?

The myth that Christopher Columbus “discovered” America in 1492 is deeply ingrained in our history and culture, but it is only part of the complex and multifaceted story of America’s early inhabitants and their ancestors. While Columbus’s arrival marked the beginning of a new era of European exploration and colonization, he certainly was not the first to set foot on American soil.

#### 1. **Nomadic Tribes of Asia**

Archaeologists generally agree that the first humans to set foot on the American continents were nomadic tribes from Asia who crossed the Bering Strait land bridge around 15,000 to 20,000 years ago. These early inhabitants spread across the Americas, eventually inhabiting diverse regions from the North to the South and East to the West.

#### 2. **European Explorers Before Columbus**

Long before Columbus’s historic voyage, Norse explorers claimed to have reached North America. Leif Eriksson, son of Norse explorer Erik the Red, is credited with establishing a colony called Vinland on the northern part of North America around the year 1000 AD. This colony is thought to be in present-day Newfoundland. Eriksson and his crew lived there for a few years before abandoning the settlement.

#### 3. **Other Possible European Visitors**

While Leif Eriksson is widely recognized, there are other European claims of pre-Columbian discoveries. For instance, in 1960, archaeologists in Newport, Rhode Island, dug up a 14th-century Norse stone artifact known as the Kensington Rune Stone, which was purported to show that a party of Norse sailors had ventured deep into the interior of present-day Minnesota sometime in the late 14th century.

Despite these claims, it’s important to note that the Kensington Rune Stone is highly disputed among academics due to concerns about its authenticity.

#### 4. **Celtic and Asian Visits**

There are also theories that Celtic and Asian sailors reached America before Columbus. These claims are based on various artifacts found in the Americas that resemble those from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. However, these theories are generally not widely accepted due to a lack of substantial, verifiable evidence.

For example, Carl Moravec, in his book *”The Brendan Voyage: Who Really Discovered America?”*, argues that Irish monks may have been the first Europeans to discover America. He cites various historical documents and archaeological evidence (such as a stone cross in Maine) as proof of an early Irish presence. However, these claims have not been widely supported by mainstream historians.

#### 5. **The True Inhabitants: Indigenous Peoples**

It’s crucial to remember who was truly present on American continents before the arrival of Europeans. Indigenous peoples thrived in North, Central, and South America for millennia, with complex societies and cultures. They were the original inhabitants, shaping the early landscape, and forming the foundation of the Americas before European encounters.

#### Conclusion

In summary, while Christopher Columbus is widely celebrated for his voyage to the Americas, and Leif Eriksson is noted for his Norse colony, the first genuine inhabitants were the Indigenous peoples. They were the land’s pioneers, its stewards, and its first explorers. Celebrating their rich history and resilience is a vital step in accurately portraying the continent’s true heritage. The real discovery of America involved a combination of ancient migrations, hardy explorers, and the indigenous peoples who were here long before Europeans arrived.