Map Hoax?: Chinese Discovery of America
National Geographic News ran a story in 2006 that I thought might amuse reading group members. A Beijing attorney who collects maps claimed that an antique Chinese map he purchased (supposedly an 18th century reproduction of an early 15th century map) demonstrated that a Chinese admiral had discovered North America in 1418. His claims have not been validated or accepted; some critics believe the map is actually based not on one from 15th century China but 17th century France. Click here for the complete story, with map image.
Kelly Searsmith
October 17, 2008 at 3:23 pm
The general constellation of arguments proposed about Chinese world-wide exploration and colonization — including the so-called 1418 world map, Gavin Menzies’ utterly mendacious book, and other stupidities — are all neatly exploded at http://www.1421exposed.com/. The work of Geoff Wade is particularly good in this respect. There’s nothing on the site yet about Menzies’ second book (“1434″) but this seems as cynically manipulative as other accounts.