Midwestern Epigraphic Society A non-profit tax exempt organization [501.C(3)] under IRS Regulations
   Home  |   Officers  |   Membership  |  Library  |   Schedule  |   Trips  |   Inscriptions  |   Meetings  |   Archives  |   Shop

PRE-COLUMBIAN VISITS TO MEXICO:
MEXICAN ARCHAEOLOGY ARGUES THE POSSIBILITY

by Dana R Chandler, MA, Wedowee, Alabama

With recent articles like that found in the May/June issue of archaeology1 the plight of serious discussion regarding Pre-Columbian visit to the Western Hemisphere continues to be relegated to the the same genre as UFO's and the bigfoot sightings2. Author Lisa Young posits that "the underlying message is that archaeological hoaxes (like Michigan's Mystery Relics, author) cause substantial damage not only to the archaeological record but also by perpetuating fraudulent claims about the past."3 She does not open up debate regarding the other "fraudulent claims" but, continues by stating that "with high-profile hoaxes still making headlines, it's a message as relevant today as it was a century ago."4 She perpetuates the current diatribe preached by the "academic community" against scientific evidence that presents an alternative view to the development of Pre-Columbian cultures such as the Olmec, Maya and and Inca.

     Contrary to American archaeologists, Mexican counter- parts do consider evidences favoring Pre-Columbian visitations.

This is not the case with the Mexican counterpart to the Archaeology magazine. In the September/October 1998 issue of Arqueologia Mexicana, Romeo H. Hristov and Santiago Genovés T. address some evidences in favor of Pre-Columbian visitations.5 In their article entitled "Transatlantic Visits before Columbus,"6 the authors discuss "the necessity to study the possible transatlantic contacts that could have contributed, although in uncertain and debatable measure, in the political and religious life of Pre-Columbian societies." Their evidentiary information relies completely on four heads, which they contend are negroid (3 each) or causcasoid, and one Olmec Stela (from La Venta, showing Semite sailors), all of which were found in Southern Mexico.

They postulate that voyages may have been as the result of "accidental trips" 7 brought about due to a number of factors of which weather being the major cause. Refreshingly honest and sincere their article does address some of the major concerns expressed by modern academia. They raise three considerations:

  1. If there have been pre-Columbian visits, why is there a "lack, almost completely, of Old World Objects found in archaeological context, withour alterations and with reliable chronologies."8

  2. The contiued pressure from diffusionists insists on an underestimation of the capabilites of Pre-Columbian societies to reach and maintain a high level of civilization without extra-societal interference from Old World groups.

  3. There are Old World evidences of diffusion of certain edible plants. There are certain ideologies found in New World civilizations similar to those accomplished by the Greeks and Romans within the nation building processes of modern Europe and the Mediterranean world.

Although they do bring these thoughts to mind, the authors raise some important evidences regarding inconsistencies that have arisen within the Mexican archaeological context over the last few years. Citing trans-oceanic journeys made by Bombard and Lindemann on rafts or canoes and Hyerdahl's trip on Ra as proof that Pre-Columbian visits could have occurred, they raise the pertinent question that if they could do it, how come the ancients could not? There indeed is no doubt that accidental journeys could have taken place, as well as highly organized and well funded expeditions. They drop tidbits of information to bolster their positions. The sad part is that these evidences are not footnoted, nor are they further explained.9 This is a problem that many modern adherents to Pre-Columbian visitations have by referencing information without proper background data. Just stating that something is there, does not make it so! The authors do spend a greater amount of time proving their main evidences.

     If modern man can navigate across the Atlantic in a wooden raft, why could not the ancients?

The first, and possibly the best, of the evidences provided by Hristov and Genovés is one they call the "Rumanian head of Tecaxic-Calixtiahuaca."10. Found in a classic Olmec context, this object provides some very important information to the modern diffusionist. Absolute dating of the head was actively sought after with the final and definitive tests coming from the "Laboratorio de Arqueometria" in Heidelberg, Germany. Using carbon 14 dating and thermoluminescence dating11 the head was subsequently dated to between 200BCE adn 600 CE. The head shows distinct caucasoid features with a full mustache and beard, certainly far different from facial features of any Native American.

The other heads12 show distinctive negroid features. Figure 8 seems to portray a female with hair in a topknot and having elongated earlobes with large earrings similar to many of those in East Africa. Figure 9 appears to be the most definitive of the three. Labeled a mask, the hair is distinctly unlike that of any other mask in Meso-American art. The most distnctive aspect of the representation is the obvious scaring around the eyes, mouth and along the jar. These are very similar to those found in many parts of West Africa.13

The authors conclude by stating that there must be further study by academics that are impartial in any attempt to revise the perspectives of current American anthropology. They allude to the fact that there may have been "a biological and culture symbiosis between the Old World and Pre-Hispanic America"14 which must be further explored in order to one day arrive at the truth.

Dr Dana Chandler at the 2002 ISAC Meeting

  1. If there have been pre-Columbian visits, why is there a "lack, almost completely, of Old World Objects found in archaeological context, withour alterations and with reliable chronologies."8

  2. The continued pressure from diffusionists insists on an underestimation of the capabilites of Pre-Columbian societies to reach and maintain a high level of civilization without extra-societal interference from Old World groups.

  3. There are Old World evidences of diffusion of certain edible plants. There are certain ideologies found in New World civilizations similar to those accomplished by the Greeks and Romans within the nation building processes of modern Europe and the Mediterranean world.

Although they do bring these thoughts to mind, the authors raise some important evidences regarding inconsistencies that have arisen within the Mexican archaeological context over the last few years.

    References
  1. Lisa Young, "Michigan's Mystery Relics", Archaeology,May/Jun 2004, 53
  2. Although some may feel that these are valid scientific items of discussion, the author seeks to relegate them to another group for discussion.
  3. "Michigan's Mystery Relics", 53
  4. Ibid.
  5. Romeo H. Hristov and Santiago Genovés T., "Viajes Transatlanticos antes de Colón." Arqueologiá Mexicana, September/October 1998, 48-53
  6. Translation mine.
  7. "Trans-Atlantic Visits Before Columbus," 50.
  8. Ibid.
  9. On page 50 they reference amber and tin objects found within Olmec graves.
  10. See figure number 4.
  11. Thermoluminescence (TL) dating measures the amount of radioactive decay in and around the minerals stored and later released as light upon strong heating of the pottery object. By comparing this light output with that produced by known doses of radiation, the amount of radiation absorbed by the material may be found. When pottery is fired, it loses all its previously acquired TL, and on cooling the TL begins again to build up.
  12. See figures 6, 8 and 9.
  13. Again, although the 3 negroid heads are identified as coming Mexico, no definitive location is given.
  14. "Trans-Atlantic Visits Before Columbus," 53.