All language subtitles for Who Really Discovered America HC 720p HDTV EN Sub_Subtitles01.ENG

>> male narrator: IF YOU ASK
MANY AMERICANS:

MANY AMERICANS:
WHO DISCOVERED AMERICA?

WHO DISCOVERED AMERICA?
THEY'LL TELL YOU IT WAS

THEY'LL TELL YOU IT WAS
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.
FOR GENERATIONS, THAT'S WHAT

FOR GENERATIONS, THAT'S WHAT
THE HISTORY BOOKS SAID,

THE HISTORY BOOKS SAID,
BUT THE HISTORY BOOKS

BUT THE HISTORY BOOKS
WERE WRONG.

WERE WRONG.
A JOURNEY INTO THE FAR REACHES

A JOURNEY INTO THE FAR REACHES
OF ANTIQUITY TURNS UP TALES

OF ANTIQUITY TURNS UP TALES
OF EXPLORERS WHO ARRIVED

OF EXPLORERS WHO ARRIVED
IN THE NEW WORLD

IN THE NEW WORLD
THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.

THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.
CHARTED ON A MAP, THEIR VOYAGES

CHARTED ON A MAP, THEIR VOYAGES
LOOK LIKE A MARITIME INVASION,

LOOK LIKE A MARITIME INVASION,
ONE THAT STARTED

ONE THAT STARTED
NOT JUST BEFORE COLUMBUS

NOT JUST BEFORE COLUMBUS
BUT BEFORE CHRIST.

BUT BEFORE CHRIST.
>> WHY ARE PEOPLE SO FIXED ON

>> WHY ARE PEOPLE SO FIXED ON
COLUMBUS DISCOVERING

COLUMBUS DISCOVERING
THE NEW WORLD?

THE NEW WORLD?
IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

IT'S HARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> IN THE PAST, TRANSPACIFIC

>> IN THE PAST, TRANSPACIFIC
AND TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGING

AND TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGING
WAS EASIER THAN PEOPLE THINK.

WAS EASIER THAN PEOPLE THINK.
HUMAN BEINGS ARE RESTLESS.

HUMAN BEINGS ARE RESTLESS.
THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO'S

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO'S
LOOKING OVER THE HORIZON.

LOOKING OVER THE HORIZON.
>> narrator: NOW WE REBUILD

>> narrator: NOW WE REBUILD
THE SHIPS, TRACE THE ROUTES,

THE SHIPS, TRACE THE ROUTES,
TEST THE ARTIFACTS, AND ANALYZE

TEST THE ARTIFACTS, AND ANALYZE
BLOOD EVIDENCE TO FINALLY LEARN

BLOOD EVIDENCE TO FINALLY LEARN
THE ANSWER TO ONE OF THE

THE ANSWER TO ONE OF THE
GREATEST MYSTERIES OF ALL TIME:

GREATEST MYSTERIES OF ALL TIME:
WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA?

IN 1492, COLUMBUS SAILED
THE OCEAN BLUE.

THE OCEAN BLUE.
IT'S ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS
VERSES IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

VERSES IN AMERICAN HISTORY.
BUT WE ARE STARTING TO CHALLENGE

BUT WE ARE STARTING TO CHALLENGE
THE IDEA HE WAS THE FIRST TO

THE IDEA HE WAS THE FIRST TO
DISCOVER THE NEW WORLD.

DISCOVER THE NEW WORLD.
NEW EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT

NEW EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT
AMERICA WAS A VERITABLE

AMERICA WAS A VERITABLE
GRAND CENTRAL STATION FOR

GRAND CENTRAL STATION FOR
THE WORLD'S PEOPLE

THE WORLD'S PEOPLE
WELL BEFORE HIS TIME.

WELL BEFORE HIS TIME.
>> THE IDEA THAT COLUMBUS

>> THE IDEA THAT COLUMBUS
DISCOVERED AMERICA,

DISCOVERED AMERICA,
THAT'S A MYTH LIKE OTHER MYTHS.

THAT'S A MYTH LIKE OTHER MYTHS.
>> TO DISBELIEVE THAT, IT'S

>> TO DISBELIEVE THAT, IT'S
ALMOST LIKE BELIEVING THE EARTH

ALMOST LIKE BELIEVING THE EARTH
HAS TO BE FLAT IN THE FACE OF

HAS TO BE FLAT IN THE FACE OF
ALL THE EVIDENCE WE HAVE.

ALL THE EVIDENCE WE HAVE.
>> narrator: THERE'S NO DOUBT

>> narrator: THERE'S NO DOUBT
NATIVE AMERICANS WERE ALREADY

NATIVE AMERICANS WERE ALREADY
HERE WHEN COLUMBUS ARRIVED.

HERE WHEN COLUMBUS ARRIVED.
THE BERING STRAIT LAND BRIDGE

THE BERING STRAIT LAND BRIDGE
THEORY SUGGESTS THEIR ANCESTORS

THEORY SUGGESTS THEIR ANCESTORS
CROSSED FROM ASIA TO NORTH

CROSSED FROM ASIA TO NORTH
AMERICA 18,000 YEARS AGO DURING

AMERICA 18,000 YEARS AGO DURING
THE LAST ICE AGE WHEN A STRIP

THE LAST ICE AGE WHEN A STRIP
OF LAND CONNECTED THE TWO

OF LAND CONNECTED THE TWO
CONTINENTS.

CONTINENTS.
COLUMBUS ONLY GOT CREDIT FOR

COLUMBUS ONLY GOT CREDIT FOR
THE DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD

THE DISCOVERY OF THE NEW WORLD
BECAUSE, IN EUROPE'S EYES,

BECAUSE, IN EUROPE'S EYES,
THE LAND WAS RIPE

THE LAND WAS RIPE
FOR THE TAKING.

FOR THE TAKING.
>> COLUMBUS OPENED A NEW ERA

>> COLUMBUS OPENED A NEW ERA
OF ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION.

OF ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION.
AND THAT'S WHAT MADE IT

AND THAT'S WHAT MADE IT
SIGNIFICANT--WERE THE ECONOMIC

SIGNIFICANT--WERE THE ECONOMIC
MARKETS THAT WERE OPENED UP

MARKETS THAT WERE OPENED UP
IN EUROPE BECAUSE OF WHAT

IN EUROPE BECAUSE OF WHAT
THE NEW WORLD HAD TO OFFER.

THE NEW WORLD HAD TO OFFER.
>> narrator: EUROPE WAS

>> narrator: EUROPE WAS
AWESTRUCK, AND COLUMBUS

AWESTRUCK, AND COLUMBUS
WAS REVERED.

WAS REVERED.
HISTORIANS CREDITED HIM WITH

HISTORIANS CREDITED HIM WITH
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.

THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
BUT TODAY A NEW HISTORY BEGINS,

BUT TODAY A NEW HISTORY BEGINS,
AND IT STARTS ON THE OTHER SIDE

AND IT STARTS ON THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE GLOBE.

OF THE GLOBE.
CHINA, 1421,

CHINA, 1421,
71 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

71 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,
IT'S THE RISE OF THE AZTEC

IT'S THE RISE OF THE AZTEC
EMPIRE IN CENTRAL AMERICA,

EMPIRE IN CENTRAL AMERICA,
AND JOAN OF ARC WILL SOON

AND JOAN OF ARC WILL SOON
LEAD THE FRENCH IN THE

LEAD THE FRENCH IN THE
HUNDRED YEARS' WAR.

HUNDRED YEARS' WAR.
IN CHINA, IT'S THE MING DYNASTY

IN CHINA, IT'S THE MING DYNASTY
UNDER EMPEROR ZHU DI.

UNDER EMPEROR ZHU DI.
ADMIRAL ZHENG HE IS IN COMMAND

ADMIRAL ZHENG HE IS IN COMMAND
OF WHAT WOULD BECOME THE LARGEST

OF WHAT WOULD BECOME THE LARGEST
MARITIME FLEET IN THE WORLD.

MARITIME FLEET IN THE WORLD.
>> THE CHINESE, AROUND THE YEAR

>> THE CHINESE, AROUND THE YEAR
1400, WERE THE WORLD'S GREATEST

1400, WERE THE WORLD'S GREATEST
MARITIME POWER WITH THE WORLD'S

MARITIME POWER WITH THE WORLD'S
MOST IMPRESSIVE AND MAGNIFICENT

MOST IMPRESSIVE AND MAGNIFICENT
SHIPS.

SHIPS.
THESE SHIPS HAD WATERTIGHT

THESE SHIPS HAD WATERTIGHT
BULKHEADS WHICH MADE THEM

BULKHEADS WHICH MADE THEM
PRACTICALLY UNSINKABLE.

PRACTICALLY UNSINKABLE.
>> narrator: THE LARGEST OF

>> narrator: THE LARGEST OF
ZHENG HE'S SHIPS WERE SAID TO BE

ZHENG HE'S SHIPS WERE SAID TO BE
400 FEET LONG AND ABLE TO CARRY

400 FEET LONG AND ABLE TO CARRY
1,500 TONS AND A CREW

1,500 TONS AND A CREW
OF 500 MEN.

OF 500 MEN.
FLANKED BY DOZENS OF

FLANKED BY DOZENS OF
SMALLER SHIPS CARRYING WATER,

SMALLER SHIPS CARRYING WATER,
FOOD, AND SUPPLIES,

FOOD, AND SUPPLIES,
EVEN HIS ENTOURAGE

EVEN HIS ENTOURAGE
WAS WORTHY OF ENVY.

WAS WORTHY OF ENVY.
>> THEY HAD HULLS IN WHICH

>> THEY HAD HULLS IN WHICH
THEY HAD LIVE FISH.

THEY HAD LIVE FISH.
THEY HAD COOPS OF CHICKENS.

THEY HAD COOPS OF CHICKENS.
THEY HAD RICE GROWING IN TUBS.

THEY HAD RICE GROWING IN TUBS.
THEY HAD BEAN SHOOTS

THEY HAD BEAN SHOOTS
FOR VITAMINS.

FOR VITAMINS.
>> HAD THEY SET THEIR MIND

>> HAD THEY SET THEIR MIND
TO IT, I THINK THEY

TO IT, I THINK THEY
COULD HAVE GONE ANYWHERE.

>> narrator: THERE IS NO
QUESTION ZHENG HE'S FLEET

QUESTION ZHENG HE'S FLEET
TRAVELED FROM NANJING, CHINA,

TRAVELED FROM NANJING, CHINA,
TO SUMATRA, INDIA, IRAN,

TO SUMATRA, INDIA, IRAN,
AND THE COAST OF AFRICA,

AND THE COAST OF AFRICA,
ESTABLISHING FOREIGN RELATIONS

ESTABLISHING FOREIGN RELATIONS
AND EXPANDING TRADE.

AND EXPANDING TRADE.
BUT WHY STOP THERE?

BUT WHY STOP THERE?
THIS STRANGE MAP DRAWN BY

THIS STRANGE MAP DRAWN BY
RENOWNED CARTOGRAPHER

RENOWNED CARTOGRAPHER
FATHER MAURO IN 1459 COULD BE

FATHER MAURO IN 1459 COULD BE
THE KEY TO PROVING THEY DIDN'T.

THE KEY TO PROVING THEY DIDN'T.
>> IT SHOWED ME THAT THE CHINESE

>> IT SHOWED ME THAT THE CHINESE
HAD BEEN SAILING AROUND AFRICA

HAD BEEN SAILING AROUND AFRICA
CERTAINLY LONG, LONG BEFORE

CERTAINLY LONG, LONG BEFORE
COLUMBUS, BECAUSE THEY SHOW

COLUMBUS, BECAUSE THEY SHOW
THE ATLANTIC.

THE ATLANTIC.
>> narrator: THOUGH THE MAP

>> narrator: THOUGH THE MAP
LOOKS UPSIDE DOWN TO US,

LOOKS UPSIDE DOWN TO US,
IT SHOWS WHAT LOOKS LIKE

IT SHOWS WHAT LOOKS LIKE
A CHINESE JUNK ROUNDING THE TIP

A CHINESE JUNK ROUNDING THE TIP
OF AFRICA AROUND 1420.

OF AFRICA AROUND 1420.
THE SHIP WAS SAID TO HAVE

THE SHIP WAS SAID TO HAVE
FOUR MASTS AND AN ASTROLOGER

FOUR MASTS AND AN ASTROLOGER
WHO USED THE SUN AND STARS TO

WHO USED THE SUN AND STARS TO
TELL THE NAVIGATOR WHERE TO GO.

TELL THE NAVIGATOR WHERE TO GO.
IT'S A NEAR-PERFECT DESCRIPTION

IT'S A NEAR-PERFECT DESCRIPTION
OF ONE OF ZHENG HE'S SHIPS,

OF ONE OF ZHENG HE'S SHIPS,
A REPLICA OF WHICH CAN BE SEEN

A REPLICA OF WHICH CAN BE SEEN
IN NANJING, CHINA,

IN NANJING, CHINA,
WHERE ZHENG HE ORIGINALLY

WHERE ZHENG HE ORIGINALLY
SET SAIL.

SET SAIL.
>> AS WE KNOW FROM THE RECORDS

>> AS WE KNOW FROM THE RECORDS
IN CHINA, HE WAS SENT ACROSS

IN CHINA, HE WAS SENT ACROSS
THE WORLD TO THE AMERICAS,

THE WORLD TO THE AMERICAS,
TO AFRICA, EVERYWHERE.

TO AFRICA, EVERYWHERE.
>> narrator: THE MAP SAYS

>> narrator: THE MAP SAYS
THE SHIP WENT 2,000 MILES

THE SHIP WENT 2,000 MILES
INTO THE ATLANTIC.

INTO THE ATLANTIC.
WHERE TO, IT DOESN'T SAY.

WHERE TO, IT DOESN'T SAY.
BUT COULD ZHENG HE HAVE WRITTEN

BUT COULD ZHENG HE HAVE WRITTEN
ABOUT FINDING AMERICA IN

ABOUT FINDING AMERICA IN
HIS OWN ACCOUNT?

100,000 LI IS ABOUT
30,000 MILES, ROUGHLY

30,000 MILES, ROUGHLY
THE DISTANCE FROM THE PORT

THE DISTANCE FROM THE PORT
IN NANJING TO THE AMERICAS

IN NANJING TO THE AMERICAS
AND BACK.

AND BACK.
AUTHOR GAVIN MENZIES BELIEVES

AUTHOR GAVIN MENZIES BELIEVES
THERE IS PROOF OF THE VOYAGE

THERE IS PROOF OF THE VOYAGE
JUST OFF BIMINI ISLAND

JUST OFF BIMINI ISLAND
IN THE BAHAMAS.

IN THE BAHAMAS.
>> SOMEBODY WAS THERE A HELL

>> SOMEBODY WAS THERE A HELL
OF A LONG TIME AGO AND BUILT

OF A LONG TIME AGO AND BUILT
THIS ROAD, AND I SAY

THIS ROAD, AND I SAY
IT WAS A BREAKWATER

IT WAS A BREAKWATER
AND A SLIPWAY.

AND A SLIPWAY.
>> narrator: SUBMERGED

>> narrator: SUBMERGED
LIMESTONE BLOCKS SIT PERFECTLY

LIMESTONE BLOCKS SIT PERFECTLY
ALIGNED FOR 1/2 MILE,

ALIGNED FOR 1/2 MILE,
MAKING UP WHAT'S CALLED

MAKING UP WHAT'S CALLED
THE BIMINI ROAD.

THE BIMINI ROAD.
MOST GEOLOGISTS SAY

MOST GEOLOGISTS SAY
IT'S JUST A NATURALLY OCCURRING

IT'S JUST A NATURALLY OCCURRING
CONFIGURATION OF BEACH ROCK,

CONFIGURATION OF BEACH ROCK,
PROOF OF NOTHING MORE THAN

PROOF OF NOTHING MORE THAN
THE POWER OF MOTHER NATURE.

THE POWER OF MOTHER NATURE.
BUT GAVIN MENZIES SUSPECTS

BUT GAVIN MENZIES SUSPECTS
IT WAS BUILT BY THE CHINESE AS

IT WAS BUILT BY THE CHINESE AS
A DRY DOCK SLIP, WHERE THEY

A DRY DOCK SLIP, WHERE THEY
COULD DOCK A SHIP FOR REPAIRS.

COULD DOCK A SHIP FOR REPAIRS.
>> I SAY IF YOU TOOK 100 PEOPLE

>> I SAY IF YOU TOOK 100 PEOPLE
TO BIMINI AND SWAM OVER

TO BIMINI AND SWAM OVER
THAT THING, 99--AT LEAST 99

THAT THING, 99--AT LEAST 99
OF THE 100 WOULD SAY

OF THE 100 WOULD SAY
OF COURSE IT'S MAN-MADE.

OF COURSE IT'S MAN-MADE.
IF I WAS COMPLETELY WRONG,

IF I WAS COMPLETELY WRONG,
IT WOULDN'T REALLY AFFECT

IT WOULDN'T REALLY AFFECT
THE OVERALL STORY, BECAUSE WE'VE

THE OVERALL STORY, BECAUSE WE'VE
FOUND OUT SO MUCH SINCE THEN.

FOUND OUT SO MUCH SINCE THEN.
>> narrator: IT TURNS OUT

>> narrator: IT TURNS OUT
THERE MAY BE EVIDENCE THAT

THERE MAY BE EVIDENCE THAT
ZHENG HE MADE IT TO AMERICA

ZHENG HE MADE IT TO AMERICA
EVEN EARLIER THAN 1421.

EVEN EARLIER THAN 1421.
>> I WAS CERTAIN THAT WE WOULD

>> I WAS CERTAIN THAT WE WOULD
FIND ONE DAY THE MASTER MAP OF

FIND ONE DAY THE MASTER MAP OF
THE WORLD, THE CHINESE MAP.

THE WORLD, THE CHINESE MAP.
AND HERE IT IS.

AND HERE IT IS.
IT SHOWED THE WHOLE WORLD,

IT SHOWED THE WHOLE WORLD,
AS YOU CAN SEE, ACCURATELY.

AS YOU CAN SEE, ACCURATELY.
THIS MAP WAS PRODUCED AS

THIS MAP WAS PRODUCED AS
A RESULT OF THE VOYAGES OF

A RESULT OF THE VOYAGES OF
ZHENG HE, HIS VOYAGES

ZHENG HE, HIS VOYAGES
TO THE BARBARIANS.

TO THE BARBARIANS.
>> narrator: THE PERSON WHO

>> narrator: THE PERSON WHO
MADE THIS MAP IN 1763

MADE THIS MAP IN 1763
WROTE ON THE MAP THAT

WROTE ON THE MAP THAT
HE COPIED IT FROM ONE DRAWN

HE COPIED IT FROM ONE DRAWN
CENTURIES EARLIER IN 1418.

CENTURIES EARLIER IN 1418.
AT THAT TIME, CHINESE RECORDS

AT THAT TIME, CHINESE RECORDS
SHOW ZHENG HE'S FLEET

SHOW ZHENG HE'S FLEET
WAS ALREADY TRAVELING

WAS ALREADY TRAVELING
AS FAR AS AFRICA.

AS FAR AS AFRICA.
THOUGH THE MAP'S PROVENANCE

THOUGH THE MAP'S PROVENANCE
ISN'T PROVEN, IF AUTHENTIC,

ISN'T PROVEN, IF AUTHENTIC,
IT WOULD BE THE FIRST MAP

IT WOULD BE THE FIRST MAP
OF THE WORLD,

OF THE WORLD,
AND IT COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN

AND IT COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN
MADE IF SOMEONE TRAVELED ALONG

MADE IF SOMEONE TRAVELED ALONG
THE AMERICAN COASTLINE,

THE AMERICAN COASTLINE,
SOMEONE WHO WAS

SOMEONE WHO WAS
AN EXPERT NAVIGATOR.

AN EXPERT NAVIGATOR.
>> THE CHINESE COULD PREDICT

>> THE CHINESE COULD PREDICT
THE POSITION OF STARS, PLANETS,

THE POSITION OF STARS, PLANETS,
SUN, AND MOON WHEN THEY ROSE

SUN, AND MOON WHEN THEY ROSE
ON THE EASTERN HORIZON,

ON THE EASTERN HORIZON,
WHEN THEY SET.

WHEN THEY SET.
THEY COULD PREDICT THEIR

THEY COULD PREDICT THEIR
ACCURACY WITHIN SECONDS.

ACCURACY WITHIN SECONDS.
>> narrator: USING ASTRONOMY

>> narrator: USING ASTRONOMY
TO NAVIGATE THE SEAS WAS

TO NAVIGATE THE SEAS WAS
A TECHNIQUE ZHENG HE READILY

A TECHNIQUE ZHENG HE READILY
EMPLOYED, BUT COULD

EMPLOYED, BUT COULD
A BUDDHIST MONK HAVE USED

A BUDDHIST MONK HAVE USED
THE SAME TECHNIQUE TO MAKE

THE SAME TECHNIQUE TO MAKE
HIS OWN JOURNEY TO AMERICA

HIS OWN JOURNEY TO AMERICA
1,000 YEARS EARLIER?

CHINA, 455 A.D.,
1,037 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

1,037 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,
ATTILA THE HUN'S REIGN

ATTILA THE HUN'S REIGN
OF TERROR IN THE BALTIC

OF TERROR IN THE BALTIC
HAS JUST ENDED,

HAS JUST ENDED,
AND THE MYSTERIOUS NAZCA LINES

AND THE MYSTERIOUS NAZCA LINES
ARE ETCHED INTO THE ARID

ARE ETCHED INTO THE ARID
PERUVIAN LANDSCAPE.

PERUVIAN LANDSCAPE.
IN CHINA, A BUDDHIST MONK NAMED

IN CHINA, A BUDDHIST MONK NAMED
HUI SHEN SETS SAIL

HUI SHEN SETS SAIL
FROM THE COAST, TRAVELING

FROM THE COAST, TRAVELING
TO A LAND HE CALLS FUSANG,

TO A LAND HE CALLS FUSANG,
WHAT SOME BELIEVE IS AMERICA.

WHAT SOME BELIEVE IS AMERICA.
UPON HIS RETURN TO CHINA,

UPON HIS RETURN TO CHINA,
HUI SHEN VIVIDLY DESCRIBED

HUI SHEN VIVIDLY DESCRIBED
FUSANG, GIVING DETAILS

FUSANG, GIVING DETAILS
OF PLANTS AND PEOPLE

OF PLANTS AND PEOPLE
WITH REMARKABLE SIMILARITY

WITH REMARKABLE SIMILARITY
TO SPECIES NATIVE TO MEXICO.

TO SPECIES NATIVE TO MEXICO.
HUI SHEN'S JOURNEY IS RECORDED

HUI SHEN'S JOURNEY IS RECORDED
IN THE BOOK OF LIANG

IN THE BOOK OF LIANG
AS 20,000 LI ACROSS THE SEA.

AS 20,000 LI ACROSS THE SEA.
THAT'S ROUGHLY THE DISTANCE

THAT'S ROUGHLY THE DISTANCE
FROM CHINA TO, OF ALL PLACES,

FROM CHINA TO, OF ALL PLACES,
CALIFORNIA, SOME 6,000 OR 7,000

CALIFORNIA, SOME 6,000 OR 7,000
MILES ACROSS OPEN SEA.

MILES ACROSS OPEN SEA.
IT MAY SEEM FAR FOR A VOYAGER

IT MAY SEEM FAR FOR A VOYAGER
IN 455 A.D., BUT NEW SCIENCE

IN 455 A.D., BUT NEW SCIENCE
SHOWS IT WAS POSSIBLE

SHOWS IT WAS POSSIBLE
IF HUI SHEN TOOK ADVANTAGE

IF HUI SHEN TOOK ADVANTAGE
OF OCEAN CURRENTS.

OF OCEAN CURRENTS.
>> THERE ARE STRONG CURRENTS

>> THERE ARE STRONG CURRENTS
IN THE WESTERN SIDE OF OCEANS

IN THE WESTERN SIDE OF OCEANS
AND ON THE EQUATOR THAT

AND ON THE EQUATOR THAT
HAVE BEEN USED BY PEOPLE

HAVE BEEN USED BY PEOPLE
WHO KNEW ABOUT THEM

WHO KNEW ABOUT THEM
IN THE ANCIENT WORLD.

IN THE ANCIENT WORLD.
>> narrator: DR. PETER NIILER

>> narrator: DR. PETER NIILER
KNOWS A LOT ABOUT

KNOWS A LOT ABOUT
OCEAN CURRENTS.

OCEAN CURRENTS.
HE'S THE ONE WHO INVENTED

HE'S THE ONE WHO INVENTED
THE OCEAN DRIFTERS WE USE

THE OCEAN DRIFTERS WE USE
TO MEASURE THEM TODAY.

TO MEASURE THEM TODAY.
>> THIS PART STAYS ON THE

>> THIS PART STAYS ON THE
OCEAN SURFACE AND COMMUNICATES

OCEAN SURFACE AND COMMUNICATES
WITH A SATELLITE, AND THE PART

WITH A SATELLITE, AND THE PART
OVER HERE IS A DROGUE.

OVER HERE IS A DROGUE.
THAT'S DOWN AT A DEPTH

THAT'S DOWN AT A DEPTH
OF 45 FEET, AND IT HOLDS ON TO

OF 45 FEET, AND IT HOLDS ON TO
THE WATER VERY STRONGLY.

THE WATER VERY STRONGLY.
AND SO THE MOVEMENT OF THE

AND SO THE MOVEMENT OF THE
WATER AT 45 FEET DOWN IS THEN

WATER AT 45 FEET DOWN IS THEN
MIRRORED BY THIS SURFACE FLOAT

MIRRORED BY THIS SURFACE FLOAT
THAT TALKS TO THE SATELLITE.

THAT TALKS TO THE SATELLITE.
>> narrator: THERE ARE 1,300

>> narrator: THERE ARE 1,300
OF THESE OCEAN DRIFTERS

OF THESE OCEAN DRIFTERS
IN THE WORLD'S OCEANS TODAY,

IN THE WORLD'S OCEANS TODAY,
PROVIDING PRECISE DATA

PROVIDING PRECISE DATA
ON CURRENTS AND PHENOMENA

ON CURRENTS AND PHENOMENA
LIKE GYRES, OCEAN WHIRLWINDS

LIKE GYRES, OCEAN WHIRLWINDS
THAT TRAP THE WORLD'S JUNK

THAT TRAP THE WORLD'S JUNK
BUT THAT ALSO HELP PROPEL SHIPS.

BUT THAT ALSO HELP PROPEL SHIPS.
FOR THE FIRST TIME,

FOR THE FIRST TIME,
THESE DRIFTERS ARE GOING TO BE

THESE DRIFTERS ARE GOING TO BE
USED TO TACKLE THE QUESTION OF

USED TO TACKLE THE QUESTION OF
WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA.

WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA.
DR. NIKOLAI MAXIMENKO

DR. NIKOLAI MAXIMENKO
IS A PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHER

IS A PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHER
WHO'S USING NIILER'S DRIFTERS

WHO'S USING NIILER'S DRIFTERS
TO CALCULATE THE MOST LIKELY

TO CALCULATE THE MOST LIKELY
ROUTES OF TRAVEL FOR SAILORS

ROUTES OF TRAVEL FOR SAILORS
SAID TO HAVE DISCOVERED AMERICA

SAID TO HAVE DISCOVERED AMERICA
BEFORE COLUMBUS,

BEFORE COLUMBUS,
SAILORS LIKE HUI SHEN.

SAILORS LIKE HUI SHEN.
MAXIMENKO SAYS HIS VOYAGE

MAXIMENKO SAYS HIS VOYAGE
WOULD HAVE TAKEN 270 DAYS.

WOULD HAVE TAKEN 270 DAYS.
>> FASTEST POSSIBLE PATHS

>> FASTEST POSSIBLE PATHS
ARE SHOWN HERE.

ARE SHOWN HERE.
THIS IS FROM CHINA TO

THIS IS FROM CHINA TO
CALIFORNIA, AND THIS IS BACK

CALIFORNIA, AND THIS IS BACK
FROM CALIFORNIA TO CHINA.

FROM CALIFORNIA TO CHINA.
IF THE CHINESE SAILOR TOOK

IF THE CHINESE SAILOR TOOK
THAT PATH, HE RECEIVED

THAT PATH, HE RECEIVED
PRETTY GOOD HELP FROM

PRETTY GOOD HELP FROM
OCEAN CURRENTS.

OCEAN CURRENTS.
>> narrator: BUT WHAT ABOUT

>> narrator: BUT WHAT ABOUT
PHYSICAL PROOF OF THE TRIP?

PHYSICAL PROOF OF THE TRIP?
COULD IT BE FOUND NEAR

COULD IT BE FOUND NEAR
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA?
>> WELL, WE FOUND THESE ROCKS

>> WELL, WE FOUND THESE ROCKS
OUT HERE, AND I WAS JUST

OUT HERE, AND I WAS JUST
INQUISITIVE.

INQUISITIVE.
I THOUGHT, "WHY WOULD IT HAVE

I THOUGHT, "WHY WOULD IT HAVE
A PERFECT HOLE IN IT LIKE THAT?"

A PERFECT HOLE IN IT LIKE THAT?"
>> narrator: IN 1972,

>> narrator: IN 1972,
BOB MEISTRELL WAS DIVING OFF

BOB MEISTRELL WAS DIVING OFF
PALOS VERDES IN SOUTHERN

PALOS VERDES IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA, 50 MILES FROM L.A.,

CALIFORNIA, 50 MILES FROM L.A.,
WHEN HE DISCOVERED A BED OF

WHEN HE DISCOVERED A BED OF
UNUSUAL STONES ON THE SEAFLOOR.

UNUSUAL STONES ON THE SEAFLOOR.
>> I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT

>> I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT
WHAT THEY ARE BEFORE I DIE.

WHAT THEY ARE BEFORE I DIE.
>> narrator: WHAT ARE THESE

>> narrator: WHAT ARE THESE
STONES, AND COULD THEY PROVE

STONES, AND COULD THEY PROVE
HUI SHEN MADE IT TO AMERICA

HUI SHEN MADE IT TO AMERICA
1,500 YEARS AGO?

1,500 YEARS AGO?
SCIENCE SETS OUT TO ANSWER

SCIENCE SETS OUT TO ANSWER
THOSE QUESTIONS AND MORE:

THOSE QUESTIONS AND MORE:
WHETHER A PRINCE ARRIVED HERE

WHETHER A PRINCE ARRIVED HERE
IN 1170 OR A PROPHET

IN 1170 OR A PROPHET
IN 600 B.C., WHETHER

IN 600 B.C., WHETHER
MOBILE, ALABAMA, WAS AN ANCIENT

MOBILE, ALABAMA, WAS AN ANCIENT
PORT CITY, AND WHETHER EUROPEANS

PORT CITY, AND WHETHER EUROPEANS
DID FIND THE NEW WORLD

DID FIND THE NEW WORLD
MORE THAN 20,000 YEARS

MORE THAN 20,000 YEARS
BEFORE COLUMBUS.

>> narrator: AT THE BOTTOM OF
THE SEA LIES A MARITIME MYSTERY.

THE SEA LIES A MARITIME MYSTERY.
THESE LARGE ROUND STONES,

THESE LARGE ROUND STONES,
SOME WEIGHING NEARLY 300 POUNDS,

SOME WEIGHING NEARLY 300 POUNDS,
BEAR A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE

BEAR A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE
TO STONE ANCHORS USED ON

TO STONE ANCHORS USED ON
CHINESE SHIPS AS EARLY AS

CHINESE SHIPS AS EARLY AS
THE TIME OF CHRIST.

THE TIME OF CHRIST.
BOB MEISTRELL, AN AVID DIVER

BOB MEISTRELL, AN AVID DIVER
AND COFOUNDER OF BODY GLOVE,

AND COFOUNDER OF BODY GLOVE,
WAS THE FIRST TO FIND THE STONES

WAS THE FIRST TO FIND THE STONES
BACK IN 1972.

BACK IN 1972.
>> I HOPE IN MY LIFETIME THAT WE

>> I HOPE IN MY LIFETIME THAT WE
FIND OUT WHAT THESE ANCHORS ARE.

FIND OUT WHAT THESE ANCHORS ARE.
THAT'S WHY I'M DOING THIS

THAT'S WHY I'M DOING THIS
INTERVIEW.

INTERVIEW.
THESE ARE A COUPLE OF

THESE ARE A COUPLE OF
STONE ANCHORS.

STONE ANCHORS.
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL ONE

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL ONE
I FOUND.

I FOUND.
IT WEIGHED 280 POUNDS.

IT WEIGHED 280 POUNDS.
WE BROUGHT THIS ONE UP,

WE BROUGHT THIS ONE UP,
AND THEN WE STARTED LOOKING

AND THEN WE STARTED LOOKING
AROUND, AND WE FOUND MORE,

AROUND, AND WE FOUND MORE,
AND THERE'S A TOTAL OF 35 OR 40

AND THERE'S A TOTAL OF 35 OR 40
STONES OUT THERE.

STONES OUT THERE.
>> I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT

>> I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT
THE STONES IN PALOS VERDES,

THE STONES IN PALOS VERDES,
THE MEISTRELL STONES,

THE MEISTRELL STONES,
ARE IN FACT ANCHORS

ARE IN FACT ANCHORS
OF VARIOUS FORMS,

OF VARIOUS FORMS,
BOTH WEIGHT ANCHORS

BOTH WEIGHT ANCHORS
AND COMPOUND ANCHORS.

AND COMPOUND ANCHORS.
>> narrator: ARCHAEOLOGIST

>> narrator: ARCHAEOLOGIST
LARRY PIERSON WAS AMONG

LARRY PIERSON WAS AMONG
THE FIRST TO EXAMINE THE STONES

THE FIRST TO EXAMINE THE STONES
AND PERFORM WHAT'S CALLED

AND PERFORM WHAT'S CALLED
A LITHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS.

A LITHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS.
>> IT'S A COMPARISON OF

>> IT'S A COMPARISON OF
MICROFOSSILS FROM KNOWN SOURCES

MICROFOSSILS FROM KNOWN SOURCES
WITH THE MICROFOSSILS IN THE

WITH THE MICROFOSSILS IN THE
STONE SAMPLES FROM THE ANCHORS

STONE SAMPLES FROM THE ANCHORS
THEMSELVES.

THEMSELVES.
WE WERE TRYING TO IDENTIFY

WE WERE TRYING TO IDENTIFY
SPECIFIC QUARRIES THAT

SPECIFIC QUARRIES THAT
THE STONES MAY HAVE COME FROM.

THE STONES MAY HAVE COME FROM.
THE RESULTS WERE THAT THESE

THE RESULTS WERE THAT THESE
STONES CAME FROM THE COAST

STONES CAME FROM THE COAST
OF CHINA.

OF CHINA.
WE WERE NOT TERRIBLY SURPRISED

WE WERE NOT TERRIBLY SURPRISED
ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE STONES.

ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF THE STONES.
THE STYLE EXTENDED BACK TO

THE STYLE EXTENDED BACK TO
AN EARLY PERIOD, PERHAPS AS

AN EARLY PERIOD, PERHAPS AS
EARLY AS THE HAN DYNASTY,

EARLY AS THE HAN DYNASTY,
ABOUT THE TIME OF CHRIST.

ABOUT THE TIME OF CHRIST.
>> narrator: ANCHORS THAT LOOKED

>> narrator: ANCHORS THAT LOOKED
LIKE THE STONES MEISTRELL FOUND

LIKE THE STONES MEISTRELL FOUND
WERE USED DURING THE TIME

WERE USED DURING THE TIME
OF HUI SHEN, BUT THEY WERE

OF HUI SHEN, BUT THEY WERE
ALSO USED ON CHINESE JUNKS

ALSO USED ON CHINESE JUNKS
FROM THE 19TH CENTURY.

FROM THE 19TH CENTURY.
NOW THERE MAY FINALLY BE A WAY

NOW THERE MAY FINALLY BE A WAY
TO LEARN IF THESE ARE ANCIENT

TO LEARN IF THESE ARE ANCIENT
CHINESE ANCHORS OR MODERN ONES,

CHINESE ANCHORS OR MODERN ONES,
THANKS TO A SCIENCE CALLED

THANKS TO A SCIENCE CALLED
FORENSIC PETROGRAPHY.

FORENSIC PETROGRAPHY.
FORENSIC PETROGRAPHERS LIKE

FORENSIC PETROGRAPHERS LIKE
SCOTT WOLTER ARE GEOLOGISTS

SCOTT WOLTER ARE GEOLOGISTS
WHO DO AUTOPSIES ON ROCKS.

WHO DO AUTOPSIES ON ROCKS.
>> HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE

>> HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE
TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING,

TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING,
BUT IT STARTS BY TAKING A LOOK

BUT IT STARTS BY TAKING A LOOK
AT IT.

AT IT.
>> WE'RE GONNA DROP DOWN

>> WE'RE GONNA DROP DOWN
THE ANCHOR LINE AND SEE

THE ANCHOR LINE AND SEE
IF WE CAN FIND SOME OF THESE

IF WE CAN FIND SOME OF THESE
STONE ANCHORS.

STONE ANCHORS.
>> narrator: RAY ORTIZ HAS SEEN

>> narrator: RAY ORTIZ HAS SEEN
AND FILMED THE STONES BEFORE,

AND FILMED THE STONES BEFORE,
BUT IN RECENT YEARS, KELP HAS

BUT IN RECENT YEARS, KELP HAS
BEEN TAKING OVER THE AREA.

BEEN TAKING OVER THE AREA.
WHETHER OR NOT HE'LL BE ABLE

WHETHER OR NOT HE'LL BE ABLE
TO SEE WELL ENOUGH TO GET

TO SEE WELL ENOUGH TO GET
ANOTHER ANCHOR IS UNCERTAIN.

ANOTHER ANCHOR IS UNCERTAIN.
>> WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR,

>> WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR,
BASICALLY, I GUESS,

BASICALLY, I GUESS,
WOULD BE THE HOLE

WOULD BE THE HOLE
WHERE THEY RUN THE ROPES THROUGH

WHERE THEY RUN THE ROPES THROUGH
AND STUFF.

AND STUFF.
>> narrator: NONBELIEVERS

>> narrator: NONBELIEVERS
IN THE CHINESE ANCHOR THEORY

IN THE CHINESE ANCHOR THEORY
INSIST THE HOLES IN THE ROCKS

INSIST THE HOLES IN THE ROCKS
ARE NATURALLY OCCURRING

ARE NATURALLY OCCURRING
AND COULD HAVE COME FROM

AND COULD HAVE COME FROM
SEA URCHINS.

SEA URCHINS.
>> PEOPLE LOOK AT IT,

>> PEOPLE LOOK AT IT,
AND THEY SAY, "WELL, MAYBE

AND THEY SAY, "WELL, MAYBE
A SEA URCHIN DID IT."

A SEA URCHIN DID IT."
A SEA URCHIN DID NOT DO THAT.

A SEA URCHIN DID NOT DO THAT.
THIS IS WHAT A SEA URCHIN DOES.

THIS IS WHAT A SEA URCHIN DOES.
AND SEA URCHINS LIVE TO BE

AND SEA URCHINS LIVE TO BE
100 YEARS, BUT THAT'S ABOUT

100 YEARS, BUT THAT'S ABOUT
AS DEEP AS I'VE SEEN

AS DEEP AS I'VE SEEN
ANY OF THEM GO.

ANY OF THEM GO.
>> THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND

>> THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND
THAT THE PALOS VERDES STONES

THAT THE PALOS VERDES STONES
ARE ANCHORS

ARE ANCHORS
AND THAT THEY'RE CHINESE.

AND THAT THEY'RE CHINESE.
>> narrator: BUT HOW OLD

>> narrator: BUT HOW OLD
ARE THEY?

ARE THEY?
BACK ON THE BOAT,

BACK ON THE BOAT,
ORTIZ DIVES DOWN.

ORTIZ DIVES DOWN.
THE OCEAN IS STIRRED UP FROM

THE OCEAN IS STIRRED UP FROM
A RECENT STORM.

A RECENT STORM.
THAT PLUS THE FOREST OF KELP

THAT PLUS THE FOREST OF KELP
RISING HIGH ABOVE THE SEAFLOOR

RISING HIGH ABOVE THE SEAFLOOR
MAKES THE DIVE DIFFICULT.

>> OH, MAN.
YOU COULDN'T FIND A STONE ANCHOR

YOU COULDN'T FIND A STONE ANCHOR
DOWN THERE RIGHT NOW

DOWN THERE RIGHT NOW
WITH HEADLIGHTS.

WITH HEADLIGHTS.
AS SOON AS I GOT TO THE BOTTOM,

AS SOON AS I GOT TO THE BOTTOM,
IT WAS PITCH-BLACK, PITCH-BLACK.

IT WAS PITCH-BLACK, PITCH-BLACK.
>> YOU DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH

>> YOU DON'T THINK IT'S WORTH
GOING DOWN AGAIN, HUH?

GOING DOWN AGAIN, HUH?
>> THE SURGE IS REALLY STRONG,

>> THE SURGE IS REALLY STRONG,
AND THE DIRT IS JUST SLOSHING

AND THE DIRT IS JUST SLOSHING
BACK AND FORTH.

BACK AND FORTH.
NO ANCHORS TODAY, GENTLEMEN.

NO ANCHORS TODAY, GENTLEMEN.
>> narrator: IT'S

>> narrator: IT'S
A DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT WOLTER

A DISAPPOINTMENT, BUT WOLTER
WILL TRY TESTING ONE OF

WILL TRY TESTING ONE OF
THE ORIGINAL ANCHORS PULLED OUT

THE ORIGINAL ANCHORS PULLED OUT
YEARS AGO.

YEARS AGO.
>> THIS IS ONE OF THE SAMPLES

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE SAMPLES
THAT WE PREPARED OF

THAT WE PREPARED OF
THE SHIP ANCHOR.

THE SHIP ANCHOR.
AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE

AND WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT HERE
WOULD BE THE OUTSIDE SURFACE

WOULD BE THE OUTSIDE SURFACE
OF THE ANCHOR, AND THIS CURVED

OF THE ANCHOR, AND THIS CURVED
SURFACE HERE IS THE INSIDE.

SURFACE HERE IS THE INSIDE.
>> narrator: THE STONE

>> narrator: THE STONE
IS DOLOMITE.

IS DOLOMITE.
SHELLS LEFT EMBEDDED IN THE ROCK

SHELLS LEFT EMBEDDED IN THE ROCK
PROVE THESE SMALL HOLES

PROVE THESE SMALL HOLES
WERE MADE BY SEA CREATURES.

WERE MADE BY SEA CREATURES.
WHAT OR WHO MADE THE INTERIOR

WHAT OR WHO MADE THE INTERIOR
HOLE OF THE DOUGHNUT-SHAPED

HOLE OF THE DOUGHNUT-SHAPED
STONE IS LESS CLEAR.

STONE IS LESS CLEAR.
>> I DON'T SEE ANYTHING HERE

>> I DON'T SEE ANYTHING HERE
THAT INDICATES A MAN-MADE

THAT INDICATES A MAN-MADE
ORIGIN DEFINITIVELY.

ORIGIN DEFINITIVELY.
THERE'S NO WEATHERING PROFILE.

THERE'S NO WEATHERING PROFILE.
IT DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO SAY

IT DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO SAY
ANYTHING ABOUT THE AGE.

ANYTHING ABOUT THE AGE.
I CAN ONLY DEDUCE THAT

I CAN ONLY DEDUCE THAT
THEY WERE MAN-MADE.

THEY WERE MAN-MADE.
I DON'T SEE ANYTHING DIRECTLY.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING DIRECTLY.
I CAN'T IMAGINE A NATURAL

I CAN'T IMAGINE A NATURAL
OCCURRENCE LIKE THAT.

OCCURRENCE LIKE THAT.
MAYBE--MAYBE ONE OR TWO MIGHT

MAYBE--MAYBE ONE OR TWO MIGHT
SHOW UP IN SOME NATURAL

SHOW UP IN SOME NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT, BUT BASED ON WHAT

ENVIRONMENT, BUT BASED ON WHAT
I UNDERSTAND, THERE'S DOZENS

I UNDERSTAND, THERE'S DOZENS
OF THESE THINGS ALL IN A LOCAL

OF THESE THINGS ALL IN A LOCAL
AREA THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY

AREA THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY
INDIGENOUS TO WHERE THEY WERE

INDIGENOUS TO WHERE THEY WERE
FOUND.

FOUND.
THAT IMPLIES A MAN-MADE ORIGIN

THAT IMPLIES A MAN-MADE ORIGIN
TO ME.

TO ME.
THE BURDEN OF PROOF, I GUESS,

THE BURDEN OF PROOF, I GUESS,
IS ON SOMEBODY WHO WANTS

IS ON SOMEBODY WHO WANTS
TO TRY TO PROVE THAT

TO TRY TO PROVE THAT
THAT'S NOT MAN-MADE.

>> narrator: MAN-MADE OR NOT,
NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGIST

NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGIST
JAMES DELGADO SAYS THERE'S

JAMES DELGADO SAYS THERE'S
NO WAY THESE ARE ANCHORS FROM

NO WAY THESE ARE ANCHORS FROM
ANY FIFTH-CENTURY CHINESE SHIP.

ANY FIFTH-CENTURY CHINESE SHIP.
>> AT THE TIME THE HUI SHEN

>> AT THE TIME THE HUI SHEN
VOYAGES WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE

VOYAGES WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE
HAPPENED, THE ONLY WAY HE COULD

HAPPENED, THE ONLY WAY HE COULD
HAVE SAILED TO THE NEW WORLD

HAVE SAILED TO THE NEW WORLD
WAS TO HAVE HITCHED A RIDE ON

WAS TO HAVE HITCHED A RIDE ON
AN ARAB BOAT.

AN ARAB BOAT.
THE ANCIENT CHINESE BUILT

THE ANCIENT CHINESE BUILT
MAGNIFICENT VESSELS THAT

MAGNIFICENT VESSELS THAT
NAVIGATED ON THE RIVERS,

NAVIGATED ON THE RIVERS,
BUT THEY DIDN'T BUILD

BUT THEY DIDN'T BUILD
SEAGOING CRAFT.

SEAGOING CRAFT.
THE ARABS WERE THE GREAT

THE ARABS WERE THE GREAT
SEAFARING POWER OF THAT TIME.

SEAFARING POWER OF THAT TIME.
>> narrator: AND YOU WOULDN'T

>> narrator: AND YOU WOULDN'T
FIND CHINESE-STYLE SHIP ANCHORS

FIND CHINESE-STYLE SHIP ANCHORS
ON AN ARAB BOAT, IF THAT IS WHAT

ON AN ARAB BOAT, IF THAT IS WHAT
HUI SHEN TOOK TO GET TO AMERICA.

HUI SHEN TOOK TO GET TO AMERICA.
>> THE ARAB DHOW IS A LONG

>> THE ARAB DHOW IS A LONG
SLEEK VESSEL BUILT OF WOOD

SLEEK VESSEL BUILT OF WOOD
THAT CARRIES LATEEN SAILS

THAT CARRIES LATEEN SAILS
THAT SWING AND ARE MORE

THAT SWING AND ARE MORE
MANEUVERABLE, SO THEY CAN

MANEUVERABLE, SO THEY CAN
CATCH A WIND.

CATCH A WIND.
THEY CAN MOVE.

THEY CAN MOVE.
THEY CAN TACK.

THEY CAN TACK.
THEY CAN FOLLOW A COAST,

THEY CAN FOLLOW A COAST,
AND THEY CAN ALSO SAIL

AND THEY CAN ALSO SAIL
OVER LARGE BODIES OF WATER.

OVER LARGE BODIES OF WATER.
>> narrator: ARAB DHOWS COULD

>> narrator: ARAB DHOWS COULD
REACH SPEEDS OF 8 OR 9 KNOTS

REACH SPEEDS OF 8 OR 9 KNOTS
AND WERE FIXTURES IN AND AROUND

AND WERE FIXTURES IN AND AROUND
THE INDIAN OCEAN IN MEDIEVAL

THE INDIAN OCEAN IN MEDIEVAL
TIMES AND BEYOND.

TIMES AND BEYOND.
SO IF THESE ARE CHINESE SHIP

SO IF THESE ARE CHINESE SHIP
ANCHORS AND THEY'RE NOT FROM

ANCHORS AND THEY'RE NOT FROM
HUI SHEN'S VOYAGE,

HUI SHEN'S VOYAGE,
WHEN WERE THEY LOST?

WHEN WERE THEY LOST?
>> THE PALOS VERDES STONES

>> THE PALOS VERDES STONES
PROBABLY REPRESENT ACCIDENTAL

PROBABLY REPRESENT ACCIDENTAL
ANCHOR LOSS FROM 19TH-CENTURY

ANCHOR LOSS FROM 19TH-CENTURY
CHINESE FISHING VESSELS.

CHINESE FISHING VESSELS.
>> narrator: IN THE SECOND HALF

>> narrator: IN THE SECOND HALF
OF THE 19TH CENTURY,

OF THE 19TH CENTURY,
CHINESE JUNKS DID FISH

CHINESE JUNKS DID FISH
OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA,

OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA,
OFFERING A REASONABLE

OFFERING A REASONABLE
EXPLANATION FOR THE DOZENS OF

EXPLANATION FOR THE DOZENS OF
DOUGHNUT-LIKE STONES LEFT

DOUGHNUT-LIKE STONES LEFT
ON THE SEAFLOOR.

ON THE SEAFLOOR.
THERE IS EVIDENCE

THERE IS EVIDENCE
FOR AND AGAINST THE THEORY THAT

FOR AND AGAINST THE THEORY THAT
THE CHINESE REACHED

THE CHINESE REACHED
THE NEW WORLD BEFORE COLUMBUS,

THE NEW WORLD BEFORE COLUMBUS,
BUT THE SEARCH GOES ON FOR WHO

BUT THE SEARCH GOES ON FOR WHO
COULD HAVE DISCOVERED AMERICA

COULD HAVE DISCOVERED AMERICA
EVEN EARLIER.

EVEN EARLIER.
DOTTING THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE,

DOTTING THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE,
CLUES THAT COLONIZATION OF

CLUES THAT COLONIZATION OF
THE COUNTRY BEGAN NOT HUNDREDS

THE COUNTRY BEGAN NOT HUNDREDS
BUT THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.

BUT THOUSANDS OF YEARS AGO.
FROM THE EAST AND THE WEST,

FROM THE EAST AND THE WEST,
IN ALL MANNER OF CRAFT,

IN ALL MANNER OF CRAFT,
WHO CAME, WHO WENT,

WHO CAME, WHO WENT,
AND WHO STAYED?

>> narrator: WALES, 1150 A.D.,
342 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

342 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,
THE TEMPLE OF ANGKOR WAT

THE TEMPLE OF ANGKOR WAT
IS COMPLETED IN CAMBODIA,

IS COMPLETED IN CAMBODIA,
AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS

AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS
IS FOUNDED IN FRANCE.

IS FOUNDED IN FRANCE.
IN SNOWDONIA, WALES,

IN SNOWDONIA, WALES,
PRINCE MADOC AB OWAIN GWYNEDD

PRINCE MADOC AB OWAIN GWYNEDD
IS BORN.

IS BORN.
LEGEND SAYS, 20 YEARS LATER,

LEGEND SAYS, 20 YEARS LATER,
HE SET SAIL FROM RHOS-ON-SEA

HE SET SAIL FROM RHOS-ON-SEA
IN SEARCH OF LAND

IN SEARCH OF LAND
TO CALL HIS OWN.

TO CALL HIS OWN.
>> THE LEGEND OF HIM LEAVING

>> THE LEGEND OF HIM LEAVING
FROM HERE TO GO TO AMERICA

FROM HERE TO GO TO AMERICA
ORIGINATED IN MYTHOLOGY.

ORIGINATED IN MYTHOLOGY.
IN A WAY, THE STORY

IN A WAY, THE STORY
WAS HANDED DOWN FROM

WAS HANDED DOWN FROM
GENERATION TO GENERATION.

GENERATION TO GENERATION.
>> MOST OF THE ANCIENT POETRY

>> MOST OF THE ANCIENT POETRY
IN WALES WHICH REFERS TO IT,

IN WALES WHICH REFERS TO IT,
CERTAINLY PRIOR TO COLUMBUS'S

CERTAINLY PRIOR TO COLUMBUS'S
TIME, HAS REFERENCES NOT OF

TIME, HAS REFERENCES NOT OF
MADOC GOING TO AMERICA, SINCE

MADOC GOING TO AMERICA, SINCE
PEOPLE HAD NO PERCEPTION OF

PEOPLE HAD NO PERCEPTION OF
AMERICA, JUST THAT HE WAS

AMERICA, JUST THAT HE WAS
A BOLD AND COURAGEOUS SAILOR WHO

A BOLD AND COURAGEOUS SAILOR WHO
WENT SOMEWHERE A LONG DISTANCE

WENT SOMEWHERE A LONG DISTANCE
AWAY ACROSS THE GREAT SEA.

AWAY ACROSS THE GREAT SEA.
>> narrator: THE IDEA THAT MADOC

>> narrator: THE IDEA THAT MADOC
DISCOVERED AMERICA DIDN'T BECOME

DISCOVERED AMERICA DIDN'T BECOME
PART OF THE LEGEND UNTIL

PART OF THE LEGEND UNTIL
THE MID-1500s.

THE MID-1500s.
ITS SUDDEN INCLUSION CAME

ITS SUDDEN INCLUSION CAME
AT A TIME WHEN QUEEN ELIZABETH

AT A TIME WHEN QUEEN ELIZABETH
WAS TRYING TO PROVE THE BRITISH,

WAS TRYING TO PROVE THE BRITISH,
NOT THE SPANISH,

NOT THE SPANISH,
MADE IT TO AMERICA FIRST.

MADE IT TO AMERICA FIRST.
>> AS THINGS ARE PASSED ON

>> AS THINGS ARE PASSED ON
THROUGH THE GENERATIONS,

THROUGH THE GENERATIONS,
THERE'S A CHANCE THAT THERE WILL

THERE'S A CHANCE THAT THERE WILL
BE EMBELLISHMENT AND CHANGE.

BE EMBELLISHMENT AND CHANGE.
>> narrator: TODAY THE LEGEND

>> narrator: TODAY THE LEGEND
HAS GROWN EVEN MORE.

HAS GROWN EVEN MORE.
SOME BELIEVE MADOC AND A PARTY

SOME BELIEVE MADOC AND A PARTY
OF COLONISTS LEFT WALES IN 1170

OF COLONISTS LEFT WALES IN 1170
ON A SHIP CALLED THE GWENAN GORN

ON A SHIP CALLED THE GWENAN GORN
AND SAILED ALL THE WAY TO

AND SAILED ALL THE WAY TO
MOBILE BAY, ALABAMA.

MOBILE BAY, ALABAMA.
>> WHAT TYPE OF VESSEL

>> WHAT TYPE OF VESSEL
WOULD MADOC HAVE USED

WOULD MADOC HAVE USED
IF HE HAD DONE THIS?

IF HE HAD DONE THIS?
MOST LIKELY A SAXON SHIP,

MOST LIKELY A SAXON SHIP,
VERY MUCH LIKE A VIKING SHIP,

VERY MUCH LIKE A VIKING SHIP,
A LARGE ROWBOAT,

A LARGE ROWBOAT,
HEAVILY FASTENED AND BUILT.

HEAVILY FASTENED AND BUILT.
>> narrator: SAXON SHIPS WERE

>> narrator: SAXON SHIPS WERE
CLINKER BUILT, MEANING

CLINKER BUILT, MEANING
BUILT WITH HEAVY WOOD PLANKS

BUILT WITH HEAVY WOOD PLANKS
OVERLAPPING EACH OTHER.

OVERLAPPING EACH OTHER.
THOUGH THE LEGEND SUGGESTS

THOUGH THE LEGEND SUGGESTS
MADOC USED STAG HORNS FOR NAILS,

MADOC USED STAG HORNS FOR NAILS,
IRON RIVETS WOULD HAVE BEEN

IRON RIVETS WOULD HAVE BEEN
MORE CONVENTIONAL.

MORE CONVENTIONAL.
A SAXON SHIP WOULD HAVE HAD

A SAXON SHIP WOULD HAVE HAD
A STEERING OAR AND AN ESTIMATED

A STEERING OAR AND AN ESTIMATED
15 SETS OF ROWLOCKS

15 SETS OF ROWLOCKS
AND 30 OARS TO HELP BATTLE

AND 30 OARS TO HELP BATTLE
AN UNFAVORABLE WIND.

AN UNFAVORABLE WIND.
IN THE 1950s, THE DAUGHTERS

IN THE 1950s, THE DAUGHTERS
OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
PLACED A PLAQUE IN MOBILE

PLACED A PLAQUE IN MOBILE
COMMEMORATING MADOC'S DISCOVERY

COMMEMORATING MADOC'S DISCOVERY
OF AMERICA.

OF AMERICA.
IT'S SINCE BEEN REMOVED

IT'S SINCE BEEN REMOVED
TO THE CHAGRIN OF THE ALABAMA

TO THE CHAGRIN OF THE ALABAMA
WELSH ASSOCIATION.

WELSH ASSOCIATION.
>> WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY

>> WE DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY
FROM CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

FROM CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
DISCOVERING AMERICA IN 1492,

DISCOVERING AMERICA IN 1492,
BUT WE DO WANT TO KNOW

BUT WE DO WANT TO KNOW
OUR REAL HERITAGE.

OUR REAL HERITAGE.
>> THEY BEGAN THEIR TREK INLAND

>> THEY BEGAN THEIR TREK INLAND
ALONG THE ALABAMA RIVER

ALONG THE ALABAMA RIVER
TO THE COOSA RIVER,

TO THE COOSA RIVER,
UP TO THIS LOCATION HERE,

UP TO THIS LOCATION HERE,
DESOTO FALLS.

DESOTO FALLS.
AND THIS IS ONE OF THE PLACES

AND THIS IS ONE OF THE PLACES
WHERE THE WELSH BUILT

WHERE THE WELSH BUILT
A FORTIFICATION.

A FORTIFICATION.
>> narrator: THESE HALF-BURIED

>> narrator: THESE HALF-BURIED
STONES ABOVE WHAT'S NICKNAMED

STONES ABOVE WHAT'S NICKNAMED
THE WELSH CAVES ARE ALL THAT ARE

THE WELSH CAVES ARE ALL THAT ARE
LEFT OF ONE OF MADOC'S

LEFT OF ONE OF MADOC'S
ALLEGED FORTS.

ALLEGED FORTS.
BELIEVERS SAY ITS LAYOUT

BELIEVERS SAY ITS LAYOUT
BEARS A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE

BEARS A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE
TO THE FOOTPRINT OF DOLWYDDELAN

TO THE FOOTPRINT OF DOLWYDDELAN
CASTLE WHERE MADOC WAS

CASTLE WHERE MADOC WAS
SUPPOSEDLY BORN.

SUPPOSEDLY BORN.
TODAY THERE'S NO WAY

TODAY THERE'S NO WAY
TO COMPARE.

TO COMPARE.
>> THE ORIGINAL CASTLE IS

>> THE ORIGINAL CASTLE IS
PROBABLY LOST IN THE FOUNDATIONS

PROBABLY LOST IN THE FOUNDATIONS
OF THIS ONE.

OF THIS ONE.
>> narrator: DOLWYDDELAN WAS

>> narrator: DOLWYDDELAN WAS
REBUILT, MAKING A COMPARISON

REBUILT, MAKING A COMPARISON
IMPOSSIBLE.

IMPOSSIBLE.
THAT'S ONE PROBLEM.

THAT'S ONE PROBLEM.
THE OTHER IS WHY AMERICANS

THE OTHER IS WHY AMERICANS
THINK MADOC WAS BORN AT

THINK MADOC WAS BORN AT
DOLWYDDELAN AT ALL.

DOLWYDDELAN AT ALL.
>> THERE IS NO EARLY EVIDENCE

>> THERE IS NO EARLY EVIDENCE
OR LOCAL TRADITION THAT MADOC

OR LOCAL TRADITION THAT MADOC
WAS BORN IN DOLWYDDELAN.

WAS BORN IN DOLWYDDELAN.
THERE IS A LOCAL TRADITION THAT

THERE IS A LOCAL TRADITION THAT
HIS NEPHEW LLYWELYN FAWR WAS

HIS NEPHEW LLYWELYN FAWR WAS
BORN HERE,

BORN HERE,
CERTAINLY NOT IN THIS CASTLE

CERTAINLY NOT IN THIS CASTLE
BECAUSE LLYWELYN FAWR

BECAUSE LLYWELYN FAWR
BUILT THIS.

BUILT THIS.
IF HE WAS BORN ANYWHERE,

IF HE WAS BORN ANYWHERE,
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE SMALL

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE SMALL
HILLOCK IN THE VALLEY BOTTOM

HILLOCK IN THE VALLEY BOTTOM
THERE WHERE THERE WAS

THERE WHERE THERE WAS
A SMALL TOWER.

A SMALL TOWER.
>> narrator: MADOC ALSO GETS

>> narrator: MADOC ALSO GETS
CREDIT FROM THE LOCALS FOR THIS

CREDIT FROM THE LOCALS FOR THIS
SITE IN FORT MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA.

SITE IN FORT MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA.
LEGENDS OF THE CHEROKEE NATIVES

LEGENDS OF THE CHEROKEE NATIVES
IN THE AREA SAY BLONDE-HAIRED,

IN THE AREA SAY BLONDE-HAIRED,
MOON-EYED PEOPLE BUILT IT,

MOON-EYED PEOPLE BUILT IT,
ALTHOUGH ACCEPTED ARCHAEOLOGY

ALTHOUGH ACCEPTED ARCHAEOLOGY
SUGGESTS THE NATIVES THEMSELVES

SUGGESTS THE NATIVES THEMSELVES
ARE RESPONSIBLE.

ARE RESPONSIBLE.
WHETHER OR NOT MADOC MADE

WHETHER OR NOT MADOC MADE
CONTACT WITH THE CHEROKEE,

CONTACT WITH THE CHEROKEE,
HIS WELSH PARTY IS MOST OFTEN

HIS WELSH PARTY IS MOST OFTEN
ASSOCIATED WITH

ASSOCIATED WITH
A DIFFERENT TRIBE.

A DIFFERENT TRIBE.
>> WELL, THE LEGEND GOES THAT

>> WELL, THE LEGEND GOES THAT
THEY ASSIMILATED INTO THE MANDAN

THEY ASSIMILATED INTO THE MANDAN
GROUP.

GROUP.
>> narrator: THE MANDAN TRIBE

>> narrator: THE MANDAN TRIBE
ORIGINATED IN THE OHIO

ORIGINATED IN THE OHIO
RIVER VALLEY.

RIVER VALLEY.
IF MADOC'S WELSH PARTY CONTINUED

IF MADOC'S WELSH PARTY CONTINUED
TRAVELING NORTHWEST FROM THE

TRAVELING NORTHWEST FROM THE
FORT MOUNTAIN SITE IN GEORGIA,

FORT MOUNTAIN SITE IN GEORGIA,
THE TWO GROUPS COULD HAVE MET.

THE TWO GROUPS COULD HAVE MET.
ARTIST GEORGE CATLIN,

ARTIST GEORGE CATLIN,
WHO SPENT TIME WITH THE MANDAN,

WHO SPENT TIME WITH THE MANDAN,
THOUGHT THEY DID MORE

THOUGHT THEY DID MORE
THAN JUST MEET.

THAN JUST MEET.
HE THOUGHT THEY INTERMINGLED.

HE THOUGHT THEY INTERMINGLED.
CATLIN WAS STRUCK BY THE

CATLIN WAS STRUCK BY THE
MANDANS' EUROPEAN FEATURES

MANDANS' EUROPEAN FEATURES
WHILE PAINTING THEIR PORTRAITS.

WHILE PAINTING THEIR PORTRAITS.
HE ALSO NOTED SIMILARITIES IN

HE ALSO NOTED SIMILARITIES IN
BOATS BOTH THE MANDAN AND

BOATS BOTH THE MANDAN AND
THE WELSH USED FOR NAVIGATING

THE WELSH USED FOR NAVIGATING
THE RIVER SYSTEM.

THE RIVER SYSTEM.
>> GEORGE CATLIN DREW PICTURES

>> GEORGE CATLIN DREW PICTURES
SHOWING THE BOATS THAT THEY

SHOWING THE BOATS THAT THEY
USED, WHICH WERE VERY SIMILAR

USED, WHICH WERE VERY SIMILAR
TO THE WELSH CORACLE.

TO THE WELSH CORACLE.
>> narrator: THE LEGEND OF

>> narrator: THE LEGEND OF
THE WELSH INDIANS WAS POPULAR

THE WELSH INDIANS WAS POPULAR
EVEN BEFORE THE TIME

EVEN BEFORE THE TIME
CATLIN LIVED AND WORKED

CATLIN LIVED AND WORKED
AMONG THEM IN 1833.

AMONG THEM IN 1833.
PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON HAD

PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON HAD
HEARD OF THEM 30 YEARS PRIOR

HEARD OF THEM 30 YEARS PRIOR
AND, IN 1804, ASKED LEWIS

AND, IN 1804, ASKED LEWIS
AND CLARK TO KEEP THEIR

AND CLARK TO KEEP THEIR
EYES OUT FOR THEM

EYES OUT FOR THEM
WHILE EXPLORING THE LAND GAINED

WHILE EXPLORING THE LAND GAINED
IN THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE.

IN THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE.
JEFFERSON HEARD

JEFFERSON HEARD
THEY SPOKE WELSH.

THEY SPOKE WELSH.
>> IF MADOC HAD ACTUALLY LIVED

>> IF MADOC HAD ACTUALLY LIVED
AND MIXED WITH THE MANDANS,

AND MIXED WITH THE MANDANS,
IT'S QUITE FEASIBLE THAT

IT'S QUITE FEASIBLE THAT
THE LANGUAGE WOULD HAVE PASSED

THE LANGUAGE WOULD HAVE PASSED
THROUGH.

THROUGH.
>> narrator: AT FIRST GLANCE,

>> narrator: AT FIRST GLANCE,
SOME WORDS DO APPEAR SIMILAR.

SOME WORDS DO APPEAR SIMILAR.
IN MANDAN, THE WORD "TI"

IN MANDAN, THE WORD "TI"
MEANS "HOUSE."

MEANS "HOUSE."
IN WELSH, THE WORD "TY"

IN WELSH, THE WORD "TY"
MEANS THE SAME THING.

MEANS THE SAME THING.
BUT THAT'S FAR FROM ENOUGH

BUT THAT'S FAR FROM ENOUGH
TO CONVINCE LINGUISTS OF

TO CONVINCE LINGUISTS OF
A CONNECTION.

A CONNECTION.
>> THERE'S NO LINGUISTIC

>> THERE'S NO LINGUISTIC
EVIDENCE.

EVIDENCE.
THERE'S CLAIM TO BE

THERE'S CLAIM TO BE
LINGUISTIC EVIDENCE.

LINGUISTIC EVIDENCE.
IN FACT, I'VE ANALYZED MOST

IN FACT, I'VE ANALYZED MOST
OF WHAT THERE IS, AND IT'S WHAT

OF WHAT THERE IS, AND IT'S WHAT
WE WOULD CALL SPURIOUS.

WE WOULD CALL SPURIOUS.
>> narrator: WHILE DNA TESTING

>> narrator: WHILE DNA TESTING
OF MANDAN BLOOD COULD BE

OF MANDAN BLOOD COULD BE
VALUABLE IN DETERMINING

VALUABLE IN DETERMINING
IF THERE IS A WELSH CONNECTION,

IF THERE IS A WELSH CONNECTION,
IT'S NOT POSSIBLE.

IT'S NOT POSSIBLE.
IN 1837, A SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC

IN 1837, A SMALLPOX EPIDEMIC
WIPED OUT ALL BUT ABOUT 150

WIPED OUT ALL BUT ABOUT 150
OF THE 1,600 MEMBER TRIBE,

OF THE 1,600 MEMBER TRIBE,
AND TODAY THERE ARE NO

AND TODAY THERE ARE NO
FULL-BLOOD MANDANS LEFT TO TEST.

FULL-BLOOD MANDANS LEFT TO TEST.
IN THE END, IT SEEMS THERE

IN THE END, IT SEEMS THERE
IS NO PROOF MADOC MADE IT

IS NO PROOF MADOC MADE IT
TO AMERICA AT ALL.

TO AMERICA AT ALL.
THE LEGEND IS PLAGUED NOT JUST

THE LEGEND IS PLAGUED NOT JUST
BY A TIDE OF UNCERTAINTY

BY A TIDE OF UNCERTAINTY
BUT BY THE TIDE ITSELF.

BUT BY THE TIDE ITSELF.
>> I CAN TELL THAT THIS PATH

>> I CAN TELL THAT THIS PATH
IS PRETTY UNLIKELY.

IS PRETTY UNLIKELY.
OUR MODEL SHOWS THAT FOR A

OUR MODEL SHOWS THAT FOR A
SLOWLY MOVING BOAT, IT'S NEARLY

SLOWLY MOVING BOAT, IT'S NEARLY
IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE WESTWARD

IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE WESTWARD
BETWEEN FLORIDA AND CUBA.

BETWEEN FLORIDA AND CUBA.
>> narrator: THE DRIFT MODEL

>> narrator: THE DRIFT MODEL
SHOWS PRINCE MADOC WOULD HAVE

SHOWS PRINCE MADOC WOULD HAVE
HAD A HARD TIME REACHING

HAD A HARD TIME REACHING
HIS ALLEGED DOCKING POINT

HIS ALLEGED DOCKING POINT
IN MOBILE BAY.

IN MOBILE BAY.
A BOAT LIKE THE GWENAN GORN

A BOAT LIKE THE GWENAN GORN
LIKELY COULDN'T HAVE CROSSED

LIKELY COULDN'T HAVE CROSSED
THE POWERFUL GULF STREAM

THE POWERFUL GULF STREAM
BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN TIP

BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN TIP
OF FLORIDA AND CUBA.

OF FLORIDA AND CUBA.
THAT MEANS MADOC WOULD HAVE

THAT MEANS MADOC WOULD HAVE
HAD TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND

HAD TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND
PUERTO RICO, JAMAICA,

PUERTO RICO, JAMAICA,
AND THE CAYMANS BEFORE

AND THE CAYMANS BEFORE
ENTERING THE GULF OF MEXICO

ENTERING THE GULF OF MEXICO
TO REACH ALABAMA,

TO REACH ALABAMA,
ADDING MANY DAYS TO THE VOYAGE.

ADDING MANY DAYS TO THE VOYAGE.
>> TRAVEL FROM WALES TO

>> TRAVEL FROM WALES TO
MOBILE BAY WOULD REQUIRE

MOBILE BAY WOULD REQUIRE
AT LEAST 300 DAYS.

AT LEAST 300 DAYS.
>> narrator: THAT'S 300 DAYS

>> narrator: THAT'S 300 DAYS
EACH WAY--TWICE--

EACH WAY--TWICE--
FOR MADOC IS SAID

FOR MADOC IS SAID
TO HAVE MADE IT TO AMERICA

TO HAVE MADE IT TO AMERICA
NOT ONCE BUT TWO TIMES.

NOT ONCE BUT TWO TIMES.
>> THERE'S CERTAINLY NO

>> THERE'S CERTAINLY NO
ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR HARD FACT

ARCHAEOLOGICAL OR HARD FACT
EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT,

EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT,
BUT IT IS CERTAINLY A BIG PART

BUT IT IS CERTAINLY A BIG PART
OF THE STORY.

OF THE STORY.
>> narrator: RIGHT NOW,

>> narrator: RIGHT NOW,
THE MADOC THEORY IS VIEWED AS

THE MADOC THEORY IS VIEWED AS
A LEGEND BY MOST ARCHAEOLOGISTS.

A LEGEND BY MOST ARCHAEOLOGISTS.
>> AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGISTS

>> AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGISTS
REALLY FIND THAT IT'S PART

REALLY FIND THAT IT'S PART
OF WHAT WE DO

OF WHAT WE DO
TO DEBUNK THOSE THEORIES

TO DEBUNK THOSE THEORIES
AND TO KEEP THOSE THINGS AT BAY,

AND TO KEEP THOSE THINGS AT BAY,
BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO--

BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO--
MOST OF THEM HAVE NO

MOST OF THEM HAVE NO
CREDIBLE SCIENTIFIC BASIS.

CREDIBLE SCIENTIFIC BASIS.
>> narrator: TERRY JONES HAS

>> narrator: TERRY JONES HAS
SPENT YEARS STUDYING

SPENT YEARS STUDYING
WHAT HE SAYS IS A MUCH MORE

WHAT HE SAYS IS A MUCH MORE
LIKELY CASE OF PRE-COLUMBIAN

LIKELY CASE OF PRE-COLUMBIAN
CONTACT, ONE STRONGLY SUPPORTED

CONTACT, ONE STRONGLY SUPPORTED
BY SCIENCE BUT ONE THAT STILL

BY SCIENCE BUT ONE THAT STILL
COMES WITH THE RISK

COMES WITH THE RISK
OF CAREER SUICIDE.

OF CAREER SUICIDE.
>> FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS,

>> FOR THE FIRST TWO YEARS,
WE WOULDN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT

WE WOULDN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT
IN PUBLIC.

IN PUBLIC.
>> narrator: ACROSS THE PACIFIC

>> narrator: ACROSS THE PACIFIC
IN 1000 A.D., A NEW GROUP

IN 1000 A.D., A NEW GROUP
OF CONTENDERS EMERGES

OF CONTENDERS EMERGES
IN THE QUEST TO LEARN

IN THE QUEST TO LEARN
WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA.

WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA.
AND BACK IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC,

AND BACK IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC,
ONE OF THE MOST LEGENDARY

ONE OF THE MOST LEGENDARY
SAILORS EVER CHRONICLED

SAILORS EVER CHRONICLED
LEAVES ON HIS OWN QUEST

LEAVES ON HIS OWN QUEST
TO THE WEST.

>> narrator: POLYNESIA,
1000 A.D.,

1000 A.D.,
492 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

492 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,
CHINA IS INVENTING GUNPOWDER,

CHINA IS INVENTING GUNPOWDER,
AND A VERY IMPORTANT JOURNEY

AND A VERY IMPORTANT JOURNEY
BY NORSEMAN LEIF ERIKSSON

BY NORSEMAN LEIF ERIKSSON
IS TAKING PLACE IN

IS TAKING PLACE IN
THE NORTH ATLANTIC.

THE NORTH ATLANTIC.
IN POLYNESIA, EXPLORERS ARE

IN POLYNESIA, EXPLORERS ARE
IN THE MIDST OF SETTLING THE

IN THE MIDST OF SETTLING THE
MARQUESAS AND HAWAIIAN ISLANDS,

MARQUESAS AND HAWAIIAN ISLANDS,
BUT DID THEY ALSO SAIL

BUT DID THEY ALSO SAIL
BY THE STARS TO

BY THE STARS TO
NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA?

NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA?
>> ANCIENT POLYNESIANS

>> ANCIENT POLYNESIANS
AS VOYAGERS, WELL,

AS VOYAGERS, WELL,
THEY'RE THE BEST.

THEY'RE THE BEST.
WE KNOW THAT THEY REACHED

WE KNOW THAT THEY REACHED
EVERY DISTANT ISLAND

EVERY DISTANT ISLAND
IN THE PACIFIC, AND THEY DID IT

IN THE PACIFIC, AND THEY DID IT
IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.
>> narrator: SPREAD OUT OVER

>> narrator: SPREAD OUT OVER
MORE THAN 7 MILLION SQUARE MILES

MORE THAN 7 MILLION SQUARE MILES
OF OCEAN, POLYNESIA COVERS

OF OCEAN, POLYNESIA COVERS
MORE AREA THAN ANY NATION

MORE AREA THAN ANY NATION
IN THE WORLD.

IN THE WORLD.
THERE ARE 1,000 ISLANDS,

THERE ARE 1,000 ISLANDS,
AND BY 1380 A.D.,

AND BY 1380 A.D.,
POLYNESIAN VOYAGERS MANAGED

POLYNESIAN VOYAGERS MANAGED
TO TRAVEL TO AND COLONIZE

TO TRAVEL TO AND COLONIZE
ALL OF THEM.

ALL OF THEM.
>> POLYNESIA, BIGGEST NATION

>> POLYNESIA, BIGGEST NATION
ON EARTH, BIGGER THAN RUSSIA.

ON EARTH, BIGGER THAN RUSSIA.
THERE'S 600 TIMES MORE WATER

THERE'S 600 TIMES MORE WATER
THAN THERE IS LAND.

THAN THERE IS LAND.
I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE

I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE
POLYNESIANS WERE THE ONLY

POLYNESIANS WERE THE ONLY
CULTURE THAT WERE PURPOSELY

CULTURE THAT WERE PURPOSELY
VOYAGING, EXPLORING,

VOYAGING, EXPLORING,
AND NAVIGATING THE LARGEST OCEAN

AND NAVIGATING THE LARGEST OCEAN
ON EARTH AT A TIME WHEN

ON EARTH AT A TIME WHEN
OTHER CULTURES WEREN'T.

OTHER CULTURES WEREN'T.
>> IF YOU LOOK AT WORLD MARITIME

>> IF YOU LOOK AT WORLD MARITIME
HISTORY AND YOU ASK WHO

HISTORY AND YOU ASK WHO
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL NAVIGATORS

THE MOST SUCCESSFUL NAVIGATORS
ARE AND THE MOST SUCCESSFUL

ARE AND THE MOST SUCCESSFUL
TYPES OF SHIPS, VERY FEW PEOPLE

TYPES OF SHIPS, VERY FEW PEOPLE
WOULD GIVE YOU THE CORRECT

WOULD GIVE YOU THE CORRECT
ANSWER, WHICH IS THE POLYNESIAN

ANSWER, WHICH IS THE POLYNESIAN
SEAGOING CANOE AND POLYNESIAN

SEAGOING CANOE AND POLYNESIAN
NAVIGATORS.

NAVIGATORS.
>> narrator: POLYNESIAN VOYAGING

>> narrator: POLYNESIAN VOYAGING
CANOES, OR TE PUKES,

CANOES, OR TE PUKES,
WERE UP TO 60 FEET LONG.

WERE UP TO 60 FEET LONG.
THEIR DOUBLE HULLS WERE MADE

THEIR DOUBLE HULLS WERE MADE
FROM LOGS OF THE KOA TREE,

FROM LOGS OF THE KOA TREE,
HOLLOWED OUT BY A TRADITIONAL

HOLLOWED OUT BY A TRADITIONAL
TOOL CALLED AN ADZE

TOOL CALLED AN ADZE
OR MADE FROM SMALLER WOODEN

OR MADE FROM SMALLER WOODEN
PLANKS SEWN TOGETHER.

PLANKS SEWN TOGETHER.
THEIR CRAB CLAW SAILS

THEIR CRAB CLAW SAILS
WERE WOVEN TOGETHER OUT OF

WERE WOVEN TOGETHER OUT OF
LAUHALA LEAVES,

LAUHALA LEAVES,
AND SOME 1,500 FEET OF

AND SOME 1,500 FEET OF
HAND-WOUND COCONUT FIBERS

HAND-WOUND COCONUT FIBERS
WERE USED FOR LASHINGS.

>> HOKULE'A, WE BELIEVE
WITH AN AWFUL LOT OF RESEARCH,

WITH AN AWFUL LOT OF RESEARCH,
IS KIND OF A DESIGN-ACCURATE

IS KIND OF A DESIGN-ACCURATE
REPLICA OF THE DEEP-SEA VOYAGING

REPLICA OF THE DEEP-SEA VOYAGING
CANOES THAT WAS THE MAIN TOOL

CANOES THAT WAS THE MAIN TOOL
THAT WAS USED TO EXPLORE

THAT WAS USED TO EXPLORE
AND COLONIZE ALL OF POLYNESIA.

AND COLONIZE ALL OF POLYNESIA.
>> narrator: THIS IS THE

>> narrator: THIS IS THE
HOKULE'A, BUILT USING SOME

HOKULE'A, BUILT USING SOME
OF THOSE ANCIENT SPECIFICATIONS.

OF THOSE ANCIENT SPECIFICATIONS.
IT DOES HAVE A MODERN SAIL

IT DOES HAVE A MODERN SAIL
AND OTHER MODERN TOUCHES,

AND OTHER MODERN TOUCHES,
BUT THE BASIC HULL DESIGN

BUT THE BASIC HULL DESIGN
IS THE SAME.

IS THE SAME.
>> AT THE TIME THAT HOKULE'A

>> AT THE TIME THAT HOKULE'A
WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED,

WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED,
THERE WAS NO OTHER PHYSICAL

THERE WAS NO OTHER PHYSICAL
DEEP-SEA VOYAGING CANOE

DEEP-SEA VOYAGING CANOE
ON EARTH, AND SO IT HAD TO BE

ON EARTH, AND SO IT HAD TO BE
RECONSTRUCTED FROM BOTH

RECONSTRUCTED FROM BOTH
MODERN SCIENCE

MODERN SCIENCE
AS WELL AS CULTURE

AS WELL AS CULTURE
AND ORAL HISTORIES.

>> narrator: THE POLYNESIAN
VOYAGING SOCIETY FIRST LAUNCHED

VOYAGING SOCIETY FIRST LAUNCHED
THE HOKULE'A IN THE 1970s

THE HOKULE'A IN THE 1970s
TO CHALLENGE THE IDEA THAT

TO CHALLENGE THE IDEA THAT
POLYNESIA WAS SETTLED

POLYNESIA WAS SETTLED
FROM EAST TO WEST BY THE INCA

FROM EAST TO WEST BY THE INCA
FROM SOUTH AMERICA.

FROM SOUTH AMERICA.
THAT THEORY WAS FIRST PROPOSED

THAT THEORY WAS FIRST PROPOSED
BY NOTABLE ADVENTURER

BY NOTABLE ADVENTURER
THOR HEYERDAHL IN THE 1940s,

THOR HEYERDAHL IN THE 1940s,
WHO SUGGESTED STATUES LIKE THESE

WHO SUGGESTED STATUES LIKE THESE
ON EASTER ISLAND WERE INCAN

ON EASTER ISLAND WERE INCAN
IN ORIGIN.

IN ORIGIN.
TO HELP PROVE THE VOYAGE

TO HELP PROVE THE VOYAGE
WAS POSSIBLE, HE BUILT AND

WAS POSSIBLE, HE BUILT AND
SUCCESSFULLY SAILED HIS OWN

SUCCESSFULLY SAILED HIS OWN
RAFT CALLED THE KON-TIKI FROM

RAFT CALLED THE KON-TIKI FROM
SOUTH AMERICA TO THE TUAMOTU

SOUTH AMERICA TO THE TUAMOTU
ISLANDS IN POLYNESIA IN 1947.

ISLANDS IN POLYNESIA IN 1947.
EVEN THOUGH THE SAIL WAS

EVEN THOUGH THE SAIL WAS
SUCCESSFUL, ACADEMICS BALKED

SUCCESSFUL, ACADEMICS BALKED
AT HIS THEORY.

AT HIS THEORY.
>> THE SOUTH AMERICANS AREN'T

>> THE SOUTH AMERICANS AREN'T
KNOWN FOR HAVING SEAWORTHY

KNOWN FOR HAVING SEAWORTHY
CANOES OR FOR HAVING

CANOES OR FOR HAVING
HIGH VOYAGING CAPABILITIES,

HIGH VOYAGING CAPABILITIES,
SO IT REALLY MAKES MORE SENSE

SO IT REALLY MAKES MORE SENSE
THAT THE POLYNESIANS MADE IT

THAT THE POLYNESIANS MADE IT
TO SOUTH AMERICA.

TO SOUTH AMERICA.
>> narrator: POLYNESIANS WERE

>> narrator: POLYNESIANS WERE
ABLE TO ISLAND-HOP ACROSS

ABLE TO ISLAND-HOP ACROSS
THE PACIFIC BECAUSE THEY KNEW

THE PACIFIC BECAUSE THEY KNEW
WHAT TO TAKE WITH THEM

WHAT TO TAKE WITH THEM
TO SURVIVE, LIKE PLANTS

TO SURVIVE, LIKE PLANTS
AND CHICKENS,

AND CHICKENS,
CHICKENS THEY MAY HAVE

CHICKENS THEY MAY HAVE
INTRODUCED TO SOUTH AMERICA.

INTRODUCED TO SOUTH AMERICA.
>> WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CASE FOR

>> WE HAVE A VERY GOOD CASE FOR
CHICKENS MOVING FROM POLYNESIA

CHICKENS MOVING FROM POLYNESIA
TO SOUTH AMERICA.

TO SOUTH AMERICA.
THE DISCOVERY OF CHICKEN BONES

THE DISCOVERY OF CHICKEN BONES
FROM CHILE HAS TURNED OUT

FROM CHILE HAS TURNED OUT
TO BE VERY EXCITING.

TO BE VERY EXCITING.
>> narrator: WHEN THESE

>> narrator: WHEN THESE
CHICKEN BONES WITH POLYNESIAN

CHICKEN BONES WITH POLYNESIAN
TRAITS WERE UNEARTHED IN

TRAITS WERE UNEARTHED IN
SOUTH AMERICA, THEY WERE

SOUTH AMERICA, THEY WERE
IMMEDIATELY CONTROVERSIAL.

IMMEDIATELY CONTROVERSIAL.
WHILE MANY SCIENTISTS

WHILE MANY SCIENTISTS
ORIGINALLY THOUGHT CHICKENS

ORIGINALLY THOUGHT CHICKENS
WERE INTRODUCED TO SOUTH AMERICA

WERE INTRODUCED TO SOUTH AMERICA
BY SPANISH EXPLORERS IN

BY SPANISH EXPLORERS IN
THE 1500s, THE RADIOCARBON DATE

THE 1500s, THE RADIOCARBON DATE
OF THESE BONES WOULD

OF THESE BONES WOULD
PROVE OTHERWISE.

PROVE OTHERWISE.
THEY'RE PRE-COLUMBIAN.

THEY'RE PRE-COLUMBIAN.
>> POLYNESIANS MADE IT

>> POLYNESIANS MADE IT
TO SOUTH AMERICA,

TO SOUTH AMERICA,
PROBABLY DROPPED OFF CHICKEN

PROBABLY DROPPED OFF CHICKEN
WHILE THEY WERE THERE,

WHILE THEY WERE THERE,
PICKED UP THE SWEET POTATO,

PICKED UP THE SWEET POTATO,
AND THEN MADE THE TWO-WAY VOYAGE

AND THEN MADE THE TWO-WAY VOYAGE
BACK TO POLYNESIA.

BACK TO POLYNESIA.
>> narrator: SWEET POTATOES

>> narrator: SWEET POTATOES
ARE NOT BELIEVED TO BE NATIVE

ARE NOT BELIEVED TO BE NATIVE
TO POLYNESIA, BUT THEY ARE

TO POLYNESIA, BUT THEY ARE
NATIVE TO SOUTH AMERICA,

NATIVE TO SOUTH AMERICA,
A POSSIBLE CLUE.

>> THE SWEET POTATOES ARE THESE
LOW, VINY PLANTS,

LOW, VINY PLANTS,
AND YOU CAN SEE THAT

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT
THEY'RE FLOWERING HERE.

THEY'RE FLOWERING HERE.
>> narrator: STUDIES ON CHARRED

>> narrator: STUDIES ON CHARRED
SWEET POTATO REMAINS FOUND

SWEET POTATO REMAINS FOUND
IN POLYNESIA SUGGEST THE PLANT

IN POLYNESIA SUGGEST THE PLANT
WAS INTRODUCED TO THE ISLANDS

WAS INTRODUCED TO THE ISLANDS
IN PRE-COLUMBIAN TIMES.

IN PRE-COLUMBIAN TIMES.
>> SWEET POTATO IS AN

>> SWEET POTATO IS AN
AMERICAN PLANT.

AMERICAN PLANT.
IT HAS WILD POPULATIONS

IT HAS WILD POPULATIONS
IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.

IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.
IT WAS DOMESTICATED BY

IT WAS DOMESTICATED BY
NATIVE AMERICANS THOUSANDS

NATIVE AMERICANS THOUSANDS
OF YEARS AGO.

OF YEARS AGO.
>> WE KNEW THAT SWEET POTATO

>> WE KNEW THAT SWEET POTATO
HAD BEEN INTRODUCED FROM

HAD BEEN INTRODUCED FROM
SOMEWHERE ELSE.

SOMEWHERE ELSE.
THE LINGUISTIC NAME FOR

THE LINGUISTIC NAME FOR
SWEET POTATO, KUMARA,

SWEET POTATO, KUMARA,
IS NOT A POLYNESIAN WORD.

IS NOT A POLYNESIAN WORD.
AND LINGUISTS HAD LOOKED FOR

AND LINGUISTS HAD LOOKED FOR
A LONG TIME TO FIND OUT WHERE

A LONG TIME TO FIND OUT WHERE
THE WORD KUMARA CAME FROM,

THE WORD KUMARA CAME FROM,
AND IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN LINKED

AND IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN LINKED
TO AN ECUADORIAN TRIBE

TO AN ECUADORIAN TRIBE
THAT ARE INTENSIVE SWEET POTATO

THAT ARE INTENSIVE SWEET POTATO
PRODUCERS.

PRODUCERS.
>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN

>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN
THAT WE HAVE PRE-COLUMBIAN

THAT WE HAVE PRE-COLUMBIAN
SWEET POTATO, PRE-EUROPEAN

SWEET POTATO, PRE-EUROPEAN
SWEET POTATO, IN POLYNESIA,

SWEET POTATO, IN POLYNESIA,
AND THAT IT WAS TRANSFERRED

AND THAT IT WAS TRANSFERRED
BY PEOPLE, NOT BY FLOATING

BY PEOPLE, NOT BY FLOATING
OR BY BIRDS, BECAUSE

OR BY BIRDS, BECAUSE
YOU DON'T GET THE WORD TRAVELING

YOU DON'T GET THE WORD TRAVELING
WITH THE POTATO IF IT'S NOT

WITH THE POTATO IF IT'S NOT
FACE-TO-FACE TRANSFER OF

FACE-TO-FACE TRANSFER OF
THE SWEET POTATO.

THE SWEET POTATO.
>> narrator: THERE'S EVEN

>> narrator: THERE'S EVEN
EVIDENCE THE POLYNESIANS MADE IT

EVIDENCE THE POLYNESIANS MADE IT
FARTHER NORTH, TO WHAT WOULD

FARTHER NORTH, TO WHAT WOULD
BECOME THE UNITED STATES.

BECOME THE UNITED STATES.
NEAR SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA,

NEAR SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA,
A TRIBE CALLED THE CHUMASH

A TRIBE CALLED THE CHUMASH
HAS BEEN BUILDING THIS TYPE OF

HAS BEEN BUILDING THIS TYPE OF
SEWN-PLANK CANOE SINCE

SEWN-PLANK CANOE SINCE
AT LEAST 1000 A.D., CALLING IT

AT LEAST 1000 A.D., CALLING IT
A TOMOLO'O.

A TOMOLO'O.
LINGUISTS SAY THAT'S HOW THE

LINGUISTS SAY THAT'S HOW THE
CHUMASH WOULD HAVE PRONOUNCED

CHUMASH WOULD HAVE PRONOUNCED
THE EASTERN CENTRAL POLYNESIAN

THE EASTERN CENTRAL POLYNESIAN
WORD FOR THE SAME BOAT,

WORD FOR THE SAME BOAT,
ONE THEY CALL A TUMURAA'AU.

ONE THEY CALL A TUMURAA'AU.
>> THEY WOULD HAVE TROUBLE

>> THEY WOULD HAVE TROUBLE
PRONOUNCING THAT, AND IT WOULD

PRONOUNCING THAT, AND IT WOULD
COME OUT TOMOLO'O.

COME OUT TOMOLO'O.
THAT'S VERY NORMAL, REGULAR

THAT'S VERY NORMAL, REGULAR
IN CHUMASH.

IN CHUMASH.
>> narrator: THE CHUMASH ARE

>> narrator: THE CHUMASH ARE
THOUGHT TO HAVE STARTED USING

THOUGHT TO HAVE STARTED USING
THE WORD TOMOLO'O SOMETIME

THE WORD TOMOLO'O SOMETIME
BETWEEN 500 AND 1200 A.D.

BETWEEN 500 AND 1200 A.D.
BUT IT'S MORE THAN THE WORD

BUT IT'S MORE THAN THE WORD
FOR THIS CANOE THAT'S IMPORTANT.

FOR THIS CANOE THAT'S IMPORTANT.
IT'S ALSO THE CANOE ITSELF,

IT'S ALSO THE CANOE ITSELF,
WHICH HAS A DESIGN THAT TURNS

WHICH HAS A DESIGN THAT TURNS
OUT TO BE RARE, VERY RARE.

OUT TO BE RARE, VERY RARE.
>> ONCE THE PLANKS WERE CREATED,

>> ONCE THE PLANKS WERE CREATED,
THERE WOULD BE HOLES DRILLED.

THERE WOULD BE HOLES DRILLED.
WE HAVE HOLES ON OPPOSING

WE HAVE HOLES ON OPPOSING
EDGES OF THE PLANKS THAT WERE

EDGES OF THE PLANKS THAT WERE
SEWN TOGETHER USING THIS

SEWN TOGETHER USING THIS
VEGETABLE PRODUCT-BASED CORDAGE.

VEGETABLE PRODUCT-BASED CORDAGE.
THAT'S A COMMON TECHNOLOGY

THAT'S A COMMON TECHNOLOGY
THROUGHOUT ALL OF POLYNESIA,

THROUGHOUT ALL OF POLYNESIA,
AND IT'S ONLY SEEN IN TWO PLACES

AND IT'S ONLY SEEN IN TWO PLACES
IN THE ENTIRE NATIVE NEW WORLD:

IN THE ENTIRE NATIVE NEW WORLD:
THE COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

THE COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
AND THE COAST OF CHILE.

AND THE COAST OF CHILE.
>> narrator: COMMON WORDS,

>> narrator: COMMON WORDS,
COMMON ENGINEERING,

COMMON ENGINEERING,
AND THERE'S MORE: FISHHOOKS.

AND THERE'S MORE: FISHHOOKS.
THIS IS DR. YOSIHIKO SINOTO,

THIS IS DR. YOSIHIKO SINOTO,
A VERITABLE EXPERT ON FISHHOOKS,

A VERITABLE EXPERT ON FISHHOOKS,
WHO'S STUDIED THEM ALL OVER

WHO'S STUDIED THEM ALL OVER
THE PACIFIC.

THE PACIFIC.
HE HAS A COLLECTION

HE HAS A COLLECTION
OF PRIMITIVE FISHHOOKS

OF PRIMITIVE FISHHOOKS
FOUND OFF CATALINA ISLAND

FOUND OFF CATALINA ISLAND
NEAR LOS ANGELES.

>> narrator: THE CATALINA
FISHHOOKS SEEM TO MATCH

FISHHOOKS SEEM TO MATCH
FISHHOOKS MADE IN TAHITI

FISHHOOKS MADE IN TAHITI
AROUND 1000 A.D.

AROUND 1000 A.D.
FISHING FOR FOOD IS ONE WAY

FISHING FOR FOOD IS ONE WAY
THEY COULD HAVE SURVIVED

THEY COULD HAVE SURVIVED
A 4,000-MILE VOYAGE FROM

A 4,000-MILE VOYAGE FROM
THE CENTER OF POLYNESIA

THE CENTER OF POLYNESIA
TO CALIFORNIA.

TO CALIFORNIA.
BUT WHAT DO DR. MAXIMENKO'S

BUT WHAT DO DR. MAXIMENKO'S
MAPS OF OCEAN CURRENTS SAY

MAPS OF OCEAN CURRENTS SAY
ABOUT ALL OF THIS?

ABOUT ALL OF THIS?
>> FOR A POLYNESIAN VOYAGE FROM

>> FOR A POLYNESIAN VOYAGE FROM
COOK ISLANDS TO SANTA BARBARA

COOK ISLANDS TO SANTA BARBARA
AREA IN CALIFORNIA, THE PATH

AREA IN CALIFORNIA, THE PATH
WOULD REQUIRE NEARLY 300 DAYS.

WOULD REQUIRE NEARLY 300 DAYS.
THAT VOYAGE WOULD IMPLY A LOT

THAT VOYAGE WOULD IMPLY A LOT
OF PADDLING, AND IF THEY WERE

OF PADDLING, AND IF THEY WERE
ABLE TO DO THAT, THEY COULD

ABLE TO DO THAT, THEY COULD
MAKE IT.

MAKE IT.
>> WE KNOW FOR A FACT THAT

>> WE KNOW FOR A FACT THAT
THE POLYNESIANS MADE VOYAGES

THE POLYNESIANS MADE VOYAGES
OF 2,000 TO 3,000 KILOMETERS

OF 2,000 TO 3,000 KILOMETERS
ACROSS OPEN WATER NOT KNOWING

ACROSS OPEN WATER NOT KNOWING
WHETHER THERE WAS SOMETHING

WHETHER THERE WAS SOMETHING
TO BE FOUND, TO BE DISCOVERED.

TO BE FOUND, TO BE DISCOVERED.
>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE
THAT THEIR VOYAGES WERE EXPLICIT

THAT THEIR VOYAGES WERE EXPLICIT
VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY.

VOYAGES OF DISCOVERY.
THIS ISN'T A MATTER OF LOST

THIS ISN'T A MATTER OF LOST
CANOES OR PEOPLE RUNNING AWAY

CANOES OR PEOPLE RUNNING AWAY
FROM WARS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

FROM WARS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE MOVEMENT

IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE MOVEMENT
ACROSS THE SOUTH PACIFIC INTO

ACROSS THE SOUTH PACIFIC INTO
THE TRADE WINDS FROM ASIA

THE TRADE WINDS FROM ASIA
ALL THE WAY TO ULTIMATELY

ALL THE WAY TO ULTIMATELY
SOUTH AMERICA, THAT SEEMS LIKE

SOUTH AMERICA, THAT SEEMS LIKE
AN EXTRAORDINARY THING,

AN EXTRAORDINARY THING,
SAILING THAT FAR INTO THE WIND.

SAILING THAT FAR INTO THE WIND.
BUT ACTUALLY, IT MAKES SOME

BUT ACTUALLY, IT MAKES SOME
SENSE.

SENSE.
>> ORIGINALLY, THE THINKING WAS,

>> ORIGINALLY, THE THINKING WAS,
WHY WOULD YOU GO UPWIND

WHY WOULD YOU GO UPWIND
TO FIND LAND?

TO FIND LAND?
WELL, BECAUSE IF YOU GO DOWNWIND

WELL, BECAUSE IF YOU GO DOWNWIND
AND YOU DON'T FIND IT,

AND YOU DON'T FIND IT,
IT'S SO HARD TO COME BACK.

IT'S SO HARD TO COME BACK.
SO GOING EAST IS ACTUALLY

SO GOING EAST IS ACTUALLY
A SAFER DIRECTION TO GO

A SAFER DIRECTION TO GO
KNOWING THAT YOU CAN COME HOME.

KNOWING THAT YOU CAN COME HOME.
>> narrator: WHAT POLYNESIAN

>> narrator: WHAT POLYNESIAN
ADVENTURERS ILLUSTRATE IS

ADVENTURERS ILLUSTRATE IS
A CONCEPT THAT'S AT THE

A CONCEPT THAT'S AT THE
FOREFRONT OF ALL PRE-COLUMBIAN

FOREFRONT OF ALL PRE-COLUMBIAN
EXPLORATION THEORIES:

EXPLORATION THEORIES:
THE CONCEPT THAT THE OCEAN

THE CONCEPT THAT THE OCEAN
IS EASIER TO CROSS THAN

IS EASIER TO CROSS THAN
ONE MIGHT THINK.

ONE MIGHT THINK.
>> WATER NEVER IS A BARRIER

>> WATER NEVER IS A BARRIER
TO PEOPLE.

TO PEOPLE.
MOUNTAINS CAN BE A BARRIER.

MOUNTAINS CAN BE A BARRIER.
YOU CAN GET VERY ISOLATED

YOU CAN GET VERY ISOLATED
POPULATIONS IF YOU HAVE

POPULATIONS IF YOU HAVE
MOUNTAINS BETWEEN THEM,

MOUNTAINS BETWEEN THEM,
EVEN IF THEY JUST LIVE

EVEN IF THEY JUST LIVE
A FEW MILES APART.

A FEW MILES APART.
BUT WATER IS JUST NEVER

BUT WATER IS JUST NEVER
A BARRIER.

A BARRIER.
EVEN AN OCEAN IS MORE LIKE

EVEN AN OCEAN IS MORE LIKE
A HIGHWAY THAN A BARRIER.

A HIGHWAY THAN A BARRIER.
>> narrator: AND THERE WAS

>> narrator: AND THERE WAS
ALWAYS ONE SUREFIRE WAY

ALWAYS ONE SUREFIRE WAY
FOR THESE EARLY MARINERS

FOR THESE EARLY MARINERS
TO FIND LAND:

TO FIND LAND:
JUST FOLLOW THE BIRDS.

[seagulls cawing]
>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT
WE RECOGNIZE THAT SOME OF THESE

WE RECOGNIZE THAT SOME OF THESE
PRECONTACT PEOPLE HAD

PRECONTACT PEOPLE HAD
TREMENDOUS CAPABILITIES.

TREMENDOUS CAPABILITIES.
>> narrator: EVEN IF THE

>> narrator: EVEN IF THE
POLYNESIANS DIDN'T FIND

POLYNESIANS DIDN'T FIND
NORTH AMERICA IN 1000 A.D.,

NORTH AMERICA IN 1000 A.D.,
SOMEONE ELSE DID.

SOMEONE ELSE DID.
A SETTLEMENT IN NEWFOUNDLAND

A SETTLEMENT IN NEWFOUNDLAND
PROVES THAT'S WHEN THE VIKINGS

PROVES THAT'S WHEN THE VIKINGS
MADE IT TO CANADA, BUT DID THEY

MADE IT TO CANADA, BUT DID THEY
REACH THE UNITED STATES?

REACH THE UNITED STATES?
AND WAS THE U.S. ITSELF

AND WAS THE U.S. ITSELF
ALREADY THE NEW HOMELAND

ALREADY THE NEW HOMELAND
FOR ANCIENT ISRAELITES

FOR ANCIENT ISRAELITES
WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA

WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA
CENTURIES BEFORE?

>> narrator: 1000 A.D. TURNS OUT
TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT YEAR

TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT YEAR
FOR PRE-COLUMBIAN CONTACT.

FOR PRE-COLUMBIAN CONTACT.
THE POLYNESIANS MAY HAVE

THE POLYNESIANS MAY HAVE
REACHED AMERICA,

REACHED AMERICA,
BUT THE NORSE DEFINITELY DID.

BUT THE NORSE DEFINITELY DID.
SCANDINAVIA, 1000 A.D.,

SCANDINAVIA, 1000 A.D.,
STILL 492 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

STILL 492 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
THE VIKINGS WERE EXPLORING

THE VIKINGS WERE EXPLORING
THE NORTH ATLANTIC.

THE NORTH ATLANTIC.
IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME

IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME
BEFORE ONE OF THEM SAILED

BEFORE ONE OF THEM SAILED
ALL THE WAY TO NORTH AMERICA.

ALL THE WAY TO NORTH AMERICA.
>> ACCORDING TO THE SAGAS,

>> ACCORDING TO THE SAGAS,
LEIF ERIKSSON IS THE ONE WHO

LEIF ERIKSSON IS THE ONE WHO
TRAVELED FROM GREENLAND OVER

TRAVELED FROM GREENLAND OVER
TO THE NEW WORLD TO EXPLORE

TO THE NEW WORLD TO EXPLORE
THE NEW LAND.

THE NEW LAND.
>> narrator: LEIF ERIKSSON WAS

>> narrator: LEIF ERIKSSON WAS
THE SON OF ERIK THE RED,

THE SON OF ERIK THE RED,
WHO STARTED THE FIRST

WHO STARTED THE FIRST
NORSE SETTLEMENT IN GREENLAND.

NORSE SETTLEMENT IN GREENLAND.
A VOYAGER LIKE HIS FATHER,

A VOYAGER LIKE HIS FATHER,
LEIF WAS INTRIGUED WHEN ANOTHER

LEIF WAS INTRIGUED WHEN ANOTHER
VIKING TOLD HIM THERE WAS LAND

VIKING TOLD HIM THERE WAS LAND
WEST OF GREENLAND,

WEST OF GREENLAND,
LAND GLIMPSED FROM AFAR

LAND GLIMPSED FROM AFAR
BUT NEVER EXPLORED.

BUT NEVER EXPLORED.
LEIF QUICKLY GATHERED

LEIF QUICKLY GATHERED
A GROUP OF 35 MEN AND WOMEN

A GROUP OF 35 MEN AND WOMEN
AND SET SAIL AFTER BUYING

AND SET SAIL AFTER BUYING
THE VIKING SHIP OWNED BY THE MAN

THE VIKING SHIP OWNED BY THE MAN
WHO TOLD HIM THE TALE.

WHO TOLD HIM THE TALE.
>> VIKING SHIPS WERE BUILT

>> VIKING SHIPS WERE BUILT
LIKE A STRONG ROWBOAT,

LIKE A STRONG ROWBOAT,
CLINKER BUILT, THAT IS,

CLINKER BUILT, THAT IS,
WITH PLANKS OVERLAPPING

WITH PLANKS OVERLAPPING
EACH OTHER AND PINNED OR NAILED

EACH OTHER AND PINNED OR NAILED
TOGETHER.

TOGETHER.
THAT GIVES A BOAT A GREAT DEAL

THAT GIVES A BOAT A GREAT DEAL
OF STRENGTH.

OF STRENGTH.
>> narrator: CALLED KNAARS,

>> narrator: CALLED KNAARS,
THESE SHIPS WERE OVER

THESE SHIPS WERE OVER
50 FEET LONG AND COULD CARRY

50 FEET LONG AND COULD CARRY
OVER 20 TONS OF CARGO.

OVER 20 TONS OF CARGO.
DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH,

DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH,
KNAARS COULD REACH A SPEED

KNAARS COULD REACH A SPEED
OF ABOUT 13 KNOTS.

OF ABOUT 13 KNOTS.
LEIF'S PARTY OF 35 LIKELY HAD

LEIF'S PARTY OF 35 LIKELY HAD
A RELATIVELY EASY TIME MAKING

A RELATIVELY EASY TIME MAKING
A JOURNEY TO AMERICA FOLLOWING

A JOURNEY TO AMERICA FOLLOWING
SUBPOLAR CURRENTS IN

SUBPOLAR CURRENTS IN
THE NORTH ATLANTIC.

THE NORTH ATLANTIC.
>> ALL THAT YOU NEED TO DO

>> ALL THAT YOU NEED TO DO
IS JUST TO CROSS FROM EUROPE

IS JUST TO CROSS FROM EUROPE
TO GREENLAND, AND THEN

TO GREENLAND, AND THEN
YOU CAN FOLLOW THE COAST.

YOU CAN FOLLOW THE COAST.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE AROUND

I THINK THAT WOULD BE AROUND
250 DAYS.

250 DAYS.
>> narrator: THIS IS THE VIKING

>> narrator: THIS IS THE VIKING
SETTLEMENT IN NEWFOUNDLAND

SETTLEMENT IN NEWFOUNDLAND
LEIF GETS CREDIT FOR FOUNDING.

LEIF GETS CREDIT FOR FOUNDING.
IT'S CALLED L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS

IT'S CALLED L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS
AND IS DATED TO AROUND

AND IS DATED TO AROUND
1000 A.D.

1000 A.D.
THE SITE IS UNDISPUTED PROOF

THE SITE IS UNDISPUTED PROOF
THE VIKINGS MADE IT

THE VIKINGS MADE IT
TO NORTH AMERICA.

TO NORTH AMERICA.
BUT ACCORDING TO THE NORSE

BUT ACCORDING TO THE NORSE
SAGAS, THEY EVENTUALLY WENT

SAGAS, THEY EVENTUALLY WENT
FURTHER THAN THAT TO A LAND

FURTHER THAN THAT TO A LAND
CALLED VINLAND.

CALLED VINLAND.
>> SO L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS IS

>> SO L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS IS
ACTUALLY A--YOU COULD SEE IT

ACTUALLY A--YOU COULD SEE IT
AS A GATEWAY INTO WHAT WOULD

AS A GATEWAY INTO WHAT WOULD
BE VINLAND.

BE VINLAND.
>> narrator: "VINLAND" MEANS

>> narrator: "VINLAND" MEANS
EITHER LAND OF GRAPES

EITHER LAND OF GRAPES
OR LAND OF PASTURES,

OR LAND OF PASTURES,
NEITHER OF WHICH ACCURATELY

NEITHER OF WHICH ACCURATELY
DESCRIBE L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS.

DESCRIBE L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS.
THAT IMPLIES A LARGER SETTLEMENT

THAT IMPLIES A LARGER SETTLEMENT
THAT HAS NEVER BEEN PINPOINTED

THAT HAS NEVER BEEN PINPOINTED
LIES ELSEWHERE, WHICH WOULD

LIES ELSEWHERE, WHICH WOULD
EXPLAIN A CURIOUS FINDING

EXPLAIN A CURIOUS FINDING
AT THE SETTLEMENT SITE.

AT THE SETTLEMENT SITE.
>> BUTTERNUT HUSKS AND BUTTERNUT

>> BUTTERNUT HUSKS AND BUTTERNUT
WOOD WAS FOUND, AND THAT'S NOT

WOOD WAS FOUND, AND THAT'S NOT
SOMETHING YOU FIND NATURALLY

SOMETHING YOU FIND NATURALLY
AT L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS

AT L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS
OR IN THIS AREA.

OR IN THIS AREA.
>> narrator: BUTTERNUT IS NATIVE

>> narrator: BUTTERNUT IS NATIVE
TO SOUTHEASTERN CANADA AND THE

TO SOUTHEASTERN CANADA AND THE
EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES.

EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES.
IT'S ON THE EAST COAST THAT

IT'S ON THE EAST COAST THAT
A CRITICAL CLUE TO WHERE VINLAND

A CRITICAL CLUE TO WHERE VINLAND
MIGHT BE TURNED UP IN 1957.

MIGHT BE TURNED UP IN 1957.
>> THE ONLY EVIDENCE WE HAVE

>> THE ONLY EVIDENCE WE HAVE
THAT THE VIKINGS MADE IT TO

THAT THE VIKINGS MADE IT TO
THE UNITED STATES IS A NORWEGIAN

THE UNITED STATES IS A NORWEGIAN
SILVER PENNY, A SMALL COIN,

SILVER PENNY, A SMALL COIN,
FOUND IN BROOKLIN, MAINE,

FOUND IN BROOKLIN, MAINE,
AND IT'S DATED TO THE REIGN

AND IT'S DATED TO THE REIGN
OF KING OLAF KYRRE, WHICH IS IN

OF KING OLAF KYRRE, WHICH IS IN
THE LATER PART OF THE

THE LATER PART OF THE
11TH CENTURY.

11TH CENTURY.
>> WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS COIN

>> WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS COIN
WAS FOUND, CONCEIVABLY PLANTED.

WAS FOUND, CONCEIVABLY PLANTED.
OUR BEST GUESS IS THAT IT WASN'T

OUR BEST GUESS IS THAT IT WASN'T
PLANTED, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN.

PLANTED, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN.
BUT WE AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE

BUT WE AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT IT IS AN HONEST-TO-GOD

THAT IT IS AN HONEST-TO-GOD
AUTHENTIC NORSE ARTIFACT FROM

AUTHENTIC NORSE ARTIFACT FROM
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONTEXT
ON THE MAINE COAST.

ON THE MAINE COAST.
>> WE DON'T KNOW IF THE UNITED

>> WE DON'T KNOW IF THE UNITED
STATES COULD BE VINLAND.

STATES COULD BE VINLAND.
WE KNOW THAT L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS

WE KNOW THAT L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS
WAS A BASE CAMP, AND WE KNOW

WAS A BASE CAMP, AND WE KNOW
THAT THE NORSE WENT INLAND

THAT THE NORSE WENT INLAND
SOMEWHERE.

SOMEWHERE.
>> narrator: THE EAST COAST

>> narrator: THE EAST COAST
IS HOME TO SOME OTHER ARTIFACTS

IS HOME TO SOME OTHER ARTIFACTS
THOUGHT TO BE NORSE.

THOUGHT TO BE NORSE.
THESE STONES CARVED WITH SOME

THESE STONES CARVED WITH SOME
RUNES FROM AN EARLY SCANDINAVIAN

RUNES FROM AN EARLY SCANDINAVIAN
ALPHABET CALLED THE FUTHARK

ALPHABET CALLED THE FUTHARK
WERE FOUND PARTIALLY BURIED

WERE FOUND PARTIALLY BURIED
NEAR SPIRIT POND IN MAINE,

NEAR SPIRIT POND IN MAINE,
SOME 150 MILES FROM WHERE

SOME 150 MILES FROM WHERE
THE PENNY WAS FOUND.

THE PENNY WAS FOUND.
WHILE ACADEMICS AGREE THE PENNY

WHILE ACADEMICS AGREE THE PENNY
IS VIKING AGE AND GENUINE,

IS VIKING AGE AND GENUINE,
THESE STONES ARE WIDELY REGARDED

THESE STONES ARE WIDELY REGARDED
AS FRAUDS BECAUSE THEY DON'T

AS FRAUDS BECAUSE THEY DON'T
RESEMBLE TRADITIONAL

RESEMBLE TRADITIONAL
RUNESTONES FOUND THROUGHOUT

RUNESTONES FOUND THROUGHOUT
SCANDINAVIA.

SCANDINAVIA.
>> RUNIC CARVINGS ARE GENERALLY

>> RUNIC CARVINGS ARE GENERALLY
ON PROMINENT STONES WHERE

ON PROMINENT STONES WHERE
PEOPLE CAN SEE THEM.

PEOPLE CAN SEE THEM.
THEY ARE NOT OBSCURED BY BEING

THEY ARE NOT OBSCURED BY BEING
ON SMALL STONES AND BURIED

ON SMALL STONES AND BURIED
IN THE GROUND.

IN THE GROUND.
SO THAT'S WHY I THINK THAT

SO THAT'S WHY I THINK THAT
WHOEVER CREATED THESE STONES

WHOEVER CREATED THESE STONES
WAS TRYING TO PUT ONE OVER

WAS TRYING TO PUT ONE OVER
ON SOMEONE.

ON SOMEONE.
>> narrator: OTHER STONES WITH

>> narrator: OTHER STONES WITH
RUNIC INSCRIPTIONS HAVE TURNED

RUNIC INSCRIPTIONS HAVE TURNED
UP EVEN FURTHER INTO THE

UP EVEN FURTHER INTO THE
UNITED STATES.

UNITED STATES.
THE MOST FAMOUS IS

THE MOST FAMOUS IS
THE KENSINGTON RUNESTONE,

THE KENSINGTON RUNESTONE,
UNEARTHED BY A FARMER

UNEARTHED BY A FARMER
IN MINNESOTA IN 1898.

IN MINNESOTA IN 1898.
IT DETAILS A VOYAGE BY 8 GOTHS

IT DETAILS A VOYAGE BY 8 GOTHS
AND 22 NORWEGIANS ON AN

AND 22 NORWEGIANS ON AN
ACQUISITION JOURNEY FAR TO

ACQUISITION JOURNEY FAR TO
THE WEST OF VINLAND

THE WEST OF VINLAND
IN THE YEAR 1362.

IN THE YEAR 1362.
IT ALSO GRAPHICALLY DEPICTS

IT ALSO GRAPHICALLY DEPICTS
THE DEMISE OF TEN OF THE MEN,

THE DEMISE OF TEN OF THE MEN,
FOUND "RED WITH BLOOD

FOUND "RED WITH BLOOD
AND DEATH."

AND DEATH."
>> THE PROBLEMS MOST SCHOLARS

>> THE PROBLEMS MOST SCHOLARS
HAVE WITH THE KENSINGTON

HAVE WITH THE KENSINGTON
RUNESTONE IS THAT THE RUNES

RUNESTONE IS THAT THE RUNES
ON IT AND THE STONE ITSELF

ON IT AND THE STONE ITSELF
AND THE INSCRIPTION,

AND THE INSCRIPTION,
THE FORMULA, THE MESSAGE,

THE FORMULA, THE MESSAGE,
IS NOTHING LIKE A RUNESTONE

IS NOTHING LIKE A RUNESTONE
WOULD BE IN SCANDINAVIA DURING

WOULD BE IN SCANDINAVIA DURING
THIS TIME PERIOD.

THIS TIME PERIOD.
>> narrator: ANOTHER PROBLEM:

>> narrator: ANOTHER PROBLEM:
THERE'S NO TRACE OF THE

THERE'S NO TRACE OF THE
TEN DEAD VOYAGERS REFERENCED

TEN DEAD VOYAGERS REFERENCED
ON THE STONE.

ON THE STONE.
ARCHAEOLOGISTS SPENT TIME

ARCHAEOLOGISTS SPENT TIME
LOOKING FOR THEIR REMAINS

LOOKING FOR THEIR REMAINS
IN THE 1980s.

IN THE 1980s.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT
BOTHERED US WHEN WE WERE DOING

BOTHERED US WHEN WE WERE DOING
OUR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH

OUR ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
WAS THAT AS WE LOOKED

WAS THAT AS WE LOOKED
ALL AROUND, WE COULDN'T FIND

ALL AROUND, WE COULDN'T FIND
ANY EVIDENCE OF BURIALS.

ANY EVIDENCE OF BURIALS.
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN INTERESTING

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN INTERESTING
TO HAVE FOUND SOME EVIDENCE

TO HAVE FOUND SOME EVIDENCE
OF GRAVES OR TO HAVE HEARD

OF GRAVES OR TO HAVE HEARD
SOMEBODY IN THE PAST HAVING

SOMEBODY IN THE PAST HAVING
TALKED ABOUT GRAVES.

TALKED ABOUT GRAVES.
THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE

THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE
ISN'T NECESSARILY A NEGATIVE.

ISN'T NECESSARILY A NEGATIVE.
IT JUST MEANS WE DIDN'T

IT JUST MEANS WE DIDN'T
FIND IT.

>> narrator: GEOLOGIST
SCOTT WOLTER SAYS HE DID

SCOTT WOLTER SAYS HE DID
FIND PROOF THE STONE

FIND PROOF THE STONE
IS NO 19TH-CENTURY HOAX.

IS NO 19TH-CENTURY HOAX.
IN 2000, HE ANALYZED

IN 2000, HE ANALYZED
THE WEATHERING OF MINERALS

THE WEATHERING OF MINERALS
IN THE STONE'S INSCRIPTION

IN THE STONE'S INSCRIPTION
TO DETERMINE WHEN IT WAS CARVED.

TO DETERMINE WHEN IT WAS CARVED.
>> THE WEATHERING STUDY PROVES

>> THE WEATHERING STUDY PROVES
THAT WHOEVER CARVED THIS

THAT WHOEVER CARVED THIS
DID IT AT LEAST 200 YEARS

DID IT AT LEAST 200 YEARS
PRIOR TO WHEN IT WAS PULLED OUT

PRIOR TO WHEN IT WAS PULLED OUT
OF THE GROUND IN 1898,

OF THE GROUND IN 1898,
WHICH MEANS THAT IT CAN'T BE

WHICH MEANS THAT IT CAN'T BE
THE LATE 19TH-CENTURY HOAX

THE LATE 19TH-CENTURY HOAX
THAT EVERYBODY CLAIMED.

THAT EVERYBODY CLAIMED.
THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
>> narrator: REGARDLESS

>> narrator: REGARDLESS
OF WHEN THE STONE WAS CARVED,

OF WHEN THE STONE WAS CARVED,
MOST ACADEMICS QUESTION

MOST ACADEMICS QUESTION
NORSE VOYAGERS' ABILITY TO

NORSE VOYAGERS' ABILITY TO
MAKE IT SO FAR INLAND.

MAKE IT SO FAR INLAND.
FROM THE GULF OF SAINT LAWRENCE

FROM THE GULF OF SAINT LAWRENCE
WHERE THE L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS

WHERE THE L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS
SITE IS FOUND, ONE ROUTE WOULD

SITE IS FOUND, ONE ROUTE WOULD
HAVE REQUIRED THEM TO PORTAGE

HAVE REQUIRED THEM TO PORTAGE
OVER THE LA CHINE RAPIDS

OVER THE LA CHINE RAPIDS
NEAR MONTREAL AND PORTAGE OVER

NEAR MONTREAL AND PORTAGE OVER
NIAGARA FALLS BEFORE

NIAGARA FALLS BEFORE
MAKING IT INTO THE GREAT LAKES

MAKING IT INTO THE GREAT LAKES
AND ON TO KENSINGTON

AND ON TO KENSINGTON
VIA A SERIES OF RIVERS.

VIA A SERIES OF RIVERS.
>> CERTAINLY SOME TYPES OF

>> CERTAINLY SOME TYPES OF
VIKING SHIPS WERE SMALL ENOUGH

VIKING SHIPS WERE SMALL ENOUGH
THAT A GROUP OF MEN COULD LIFT

THAT A GROUP OF MEN COULD LIFT
THEM AND CARRY THEM OVERLAND

THEM AND CARRY THEM OVERLAND
IN A PORTAGE.

IN A PORTAGE.
IF THE VIKINGS CAME OVER

IF THE VIKINGS CAME OVER
IN A LARGE ENOUGH FORCE,

IN A LARGE ENOUGH FORCE,
TOWING SMALLER VESSELS BEHIND

TOWING SMALLER VESSELS BEHIND
THEIR LARGER SHIPS,

THEIR LARGER SHIPS,
IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE

IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE
THAT THEY COULD HAVE MOVED

THAT THEY COULD HAVE MOVED
AND PENETRATED FURTHER

AND PENETRATED FURTHER
INTO THE AMERICAS.

INTO THE AMERICAS.
THE QUESTION IS,

THE QUESTION IS,
WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?

WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE?
>> narrator: THE SETTLEMENT

>> narrator: THE SETTLEMENT
IN NEWFOUNDLAND IS PROOF

IN NEWFOUNDLAND IS PROOF
ON ITS OWN THAT THE VIKINGS

ON ITS OWN THAT THE VIKINGS
MADE IT TO THE NEW WORLD

MADE IT TO THE NEW WORLD
BEFORE COLUMBUS, WHETHER OR NOT

BEFORE COLUMBUS, WHETHER OR NOT
ANY OF THESE RUNESTONES

ANY OF THESE RUNESTONES
ARE AUTHENTIC OR WHETHER

ARE AUTHENTIC OR WHETHER
THIS PENNY WAS DROPPED

THIS PENNY WAS DROPPED
BY A REAL VIKING VOYAGER.

BY A REAL VIKING VOYAGER.
BUT IT'S POSSIBLE EVEN THE NORSE

BUT IT'S POSSIBLE EVEN THE NORSE
WEREN'T THE FIRST EUROPEANS

WEREN'T THE FIRST EUROPEANS
TO FIND AMERICA.

TO FIND AMERICA.
COULD A MISSIONARY WITH A MOTIVE

COULD A MISSIONARY WITH A MOTIVE
HAVE BLAZED THE TRAIL 500 YEARS

HAVE BLAZED THE TRAIL 500 YEARS
EARLIER, FINDING A LAND

EARLIER, FINDING A LAND
HE CALLED "PARADISE"

HE CALLED "PARADISE"
AND RETURNING TO TELL THE TALE?

>> narrator: IN 1492, COLUMBUS
DIDN'T DISCOVER A NEW WORLD.

DIDN'T DISCOVER A NEW WORLD.
THE POLYNESIANS MIGHT HAVE BEEN

THE POLYNESIANS MIGHT HAVE BEEN
IN CALIFORNIA IN 1000 A.D.

IN CALIFORNIA IN 1000 A.D.
THE VIKINGS DEFINITELY MADE IT

THE VIKINGS DEFINITELY MADE IT
AS FAR AS CANADA, MAYBE AS FAR

AS FAR AS CANADA, MAYBE AS FAR
AS MAINE, BUT COULD THOSE

AS MAINE, BUT COULD THOSE
VIKINGS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING

VIKINGS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING
THE IRISH?

THE IRISH?
IRELAND, 530 A.D.,

IRELAND, 530 A.D.,
962 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

962 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,
THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAS FALLEN

THE ROMAN EMPIRE HAS FALLEN
TO GERMANIC TRIBES,

TO GERMANIC TRIBES,
AND EUROPE IS ENTERING

AND EUROPE IS ENTERING
THE DARK AGES.

THE DARK AGES.
IN IRELAND, ATOP A MOUNTAIN

IN IRELAND, ATOP A MOUNTAIN
ON THE DINGLE PENINSULA,

ON THE DINGLE PENINSULA,
SAINT BRENDAN THE NAVIGATOR

SAINT BRENDAN THE NAVIGATOR
HAD A VISION OF PARADISE.

HAD A VISION OF PARADISE.
LEGEND SAYS HE FOUND IT

LEGEND SAYS HE FOUND IT
AND THAT IT WAS AMERICA.

AND THAT IT WAS AMERICA.
>> BRENDAN WAS

>> BRENDAN WAS
THE QUINTESSENTIAL SAILOR.

THE QUINTESSENTIAL SAILOR.
HE WAS THE MOST ACCREDITED

HE WAS THE MOST ACCREDITED
NAVIGATOR, SAILOR,

NAVIGATOR, SAILOR,
OF MEDIEVAL TIMES.

OF MEDIEVAL TIMES.
>> narrator: BORN NEAR TRALEE

>> narrator: BORN NEAR TRALEE
IN COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND,

IN COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND,
IN 484 A.D., BRENDAN WAS

IN 484 A.D., BRENDAN WAS
ORDAINED A PRIEST AT AGE 28.

ORDAINED A PRIEST AT AGE 28.
HE IS SAID TO HAVE SPENT TIME

HE IS SAID TO HAVE SPENT TIME
SAILING THE NORTH ATLANTIC

SAILING THE NORTH ATLANTIC
SPREADING CHRISTIANITY.

SPREADING CHRISTIANITY.
HE'S EVEN SAID TO HAVE BEATEN

HE'S EVEN SAID TO HAVE BEATEN
THE NORSE TO GREENLAND,

THE NORSE TO GREENLAND,
WHICH WAS POPULATED AT THE TIME

WHICH WAS POPULATED AT THE TIME
BY PALEO-ESKIMO WHALE HUNTERS.

BY PALEO-ESKIMO WHALE HUNTERS.
WHEN SAINT BRENDAN SUPPOSEDLY

WHEN SAINT BRENDAN SUPPOSEDLY
FOUND AMERICA, HE WAS ALLEGEDLY

FOUND AMERICA, HE WAS ALLEGEDLY
LOOKING FOR TERRA REPROMISSIONIS

LOOKING FOR TERRA REPROMISSIONIS
SANCTORUM, OR THE LAND PROMISED

SANCTORUM, OR THE LAND PROMISED
TO THE SAINTS.

TO THE SAINTS.
>> HE ANTICIPATED THAT THERE

>> HE ANTICIPATED THAT THERE
WAS A WORLD OUTSIDE OF THIS

WAS A WORLD OUTSIDE OF THIS
ISLAND, AND HENCE ULTIMATELY

ISLAND, AND HENCE ULTIMATELY
CROSSED THE ATLANTIC TO

CROSSED THE ATLANTIC TO
AMERICA.

AMERICA.
>> narrator: THE TALE OF SAINT

>> narrator: THE TALE OF SAINT
BRENDAN'S VOYAGE IS RECORDED

BRENDAN'S VOYAGE IS RECORDED
IN A TEXT CALLED THE NAVAGATIO.

IN A TEXT CALLED THE NAVAGATIO.
IT DETAILS HIS JOURNEY WITH

IT DETAILS HIS JOURNEY WITH
A NUMBER OF OTHER MONKS

A NUMBER OF OTHER MONKS
TO A LAND RICH IN FRUIT, FLORA,

TO A LAND RICH IN FRUIT, FLORA,
AND FAUNA HE'D NEVER SEEN

AND FAUNA HE'D NEVER SEEN
BEFORE.

BEFORE.
ALONG THE WAY, HE HAD

ALONG THE WAY, HE HAD
MANY UNBELIEVABLE ADVENTURES

MANY UNBELIEVABLE ADVENTURES
THAT MAKE SOME QUESTION

THAT MAKE SOME QUESTION
THE LEGITIMACY OF HIS TALE.

THE LEGITIMACY OF HIS TALE.
>> BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS HAD

>> BRENDAN AND HIS MONKS HAD
LANDED ON THE BACK OF A HUGE

LANDED ON THE BACK OF A HUGE
FISH, POSSIBLY A WHALE,

FISH, POSSIBLY A WHALE,
AND EVEN ATTEMPTED TO LIGHT

AND EVEN ATTEMPTED TO LIGHT
A FIRE ON HIS BACK, WHICH OF

A FIRE ON HIS BACK, WHICH OF
COURSE, WOKE THE ANIMAL UP,

COURSE, WOKE THE ANIMAL UP,
IF HE WAS ASLEEP.

IF HE WAS ASLEEP.
>> narrator: MOST MODERN

>> narrator: MOST MODERN
SCHOLARS CONSIDER THE NAVAGATIO

SCHOLARS CONSIDER THE NAVAGATIO
A LITERARY LEGEND ALONG

A LITERARY LEGEND ALONG
THE LINES OF WELSH PRINCE MADOC.

THE LINES OF WELSH PRINCE MADOC.
BUT THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THINGS

BUT THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THINGS
LIKE SHEEP WHICH ARE FOUND ON

LIKE SHEEP WHICH ARE FOUND ON
THE FAROE ISLANDS AND VOLCANOES

THE FAROE ISLANDS AND VOLCANOES
WHICH ARE FOUND ON ICELAND

WHICH ARE FOUND ON ICELAND
HAVE SOME HISTORIANS CONVINCED

HAVE SOME HISTORIANS CONVINCED
HE MADE IT TO AMERICA

HE MADE IT TO AMERICA
VIA A NORTHERN ATLANTIC ROUTE

VIA A NORTHERN ATLANTIC ROUTE
THE NORSE WOULD LATER MIMIC.

THE NORSE WOULD LATER MIMIC.
OVERLAID, THEIR VOYAGES APPEAR

OVERLAID, THEIR VOYAGES APPEAR
QUITE SIMILAR.

QUITE SIMILAR.
>> UNDER EXTREMELY FAVORABLE

>> UNDER EXTREMELY FAVORABLE
OCEAN CURRENT CONDITIONS,

OCEAN CURRENT CONDITIONS,
IT WOULD REQUIRE, AS A MINIMUM,

IT WOULD REQUIRE, AS A MINIMUM,
180 DAYS BUT LIKELY MUCH LONGER.

180 DAYS BUT LIKELY MUCH LONGER.
IT WOULD BE COMPLICATED.

IT WOULD BE COMPLICATED.
IT WOULD REQUIRE A LOT OF

IT WOULD REQUIRE A LOT OF
PADDLING OR A LOT OF SKILL

PADDLING OR A LOT OF SKILL
WITH SAILING.

WITH SAILING.
>> narrator: SAINT BRENDAN

>> narrator: SAINT BRENDAN
IS SAID TO HAVE SAILED

IS SAID TO HAVE SAILED
A SKIN BOAT CALLED A CURRAGH

A SKIN BOAT CALLED A CURRAGH
MADE OF COWHIDES SOFTENED

MADE OF COWHIDES SOFTENED
BY BUTTER AND SEWN TOGETHER.

BY BUTTER AND SEWN TOGETHER.
>> THE IRISH WERE BUILDING

>> THE IRISH WERE BUILDING
SKIN BOATS, SKIN BOATS CAPABLE

SKIN BOATS, SKIN BOATS CAPABLE
OF TAKING EXTENDED VOYAGES.

OF TAKING EXTENDED VOYAGES.
THEY HAVE A FRAMEWORK,

THEY HAVE A FRAMEWORK,
A SKELETON.

A SKELETON.
YOU BUILD A BASIC FRAME,

YOU BUILD A BASIC FRAME,
AND THEN YOU STITCH AND SEW

AND THEN YOU STITCH AND SEW
SKINS TOGETHER TO CREATE

SKINS TOGETHER TO CREATE
A WATERTIGHT COVERING TO KEEP

A WATERTIGHT COVERING TO KEEP
THE SEA OUT.

THE SEA OUT.
>> narrator: WHETHER SAINT

>> narrator: WHETHER SAINT
BRENDAN REACHED AMERICA OR NOT,

BRENDAN REACHED AMERICA OR NOT,
CARTOGRAPHERS BEGAN INCLUDING

CARTOGRAPHERS BEGAN INCLUDING
HIS ALLEGED PARADISE ON MAPS

HIS ALLEGED PARADISE ON MAPS
IN THE 1200s.

IN THE 1200s.
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HIMSELF

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS HIMSELF
WAS SUPPOSEDLY VERY INTERESTED

WAS SUPPOSEDLY VERY INTERESTED
IN WHERE SAINT BRENDAN HAD BEEN.

IN WHERE SAINT BRENDAN HAD BEEN.
HIS ALLEGED TRIP TO IRELAND

HIS ALLEGED TRIP TO IRELAND
TO LEARN THE DETAILS OF

TO LEARN THE DETAILS OF
BRENDAN'S VOYAGE HAS BEEN PART

BRENDAN'S VOYAGE HAS BEEN PART
OF THE COUNTRY'S ORAL HISTORY

OF THE COUNTRY'S ORAL HISTORY
FOR CENTURIES.

FOR CENTURIES.
>> COLUMBUS KNEW

>> COLUMBUS KNEW
OF THE STORY OF BRENDAN.

OF THE STORY OF BRENDAN.
HE CAME TO GALWAY AND LEARNED

HE CAME TO GALWAY AND LEARNED
WHAT HE COULD ABOUT BRENDAN.

WHAT HE COULD ABOUT BRENDAN.
IT IS A RECORDED FACT THAT

IT IS A RECORDED FACT THAT
THE NIGHT BEFORE COLUMBUS

THE NIGHT BEFORE COLUMBUS
DEPARTED FOR THE NEW WORLD,

DEPARTED FOR THE NEW WORLD,
HE SAID, "I GO TO FIND THE

HE SAID, "I GO TO FIND THE
PROMISED LAND OF SAINT BRENDAN."

PROMISED LAND OF SAINT BRENDAN."
>> narrator: WHILE

>> narrator: WHILE
A 19TH-CENTURY FRENCH WRITER

A 19TH-CENTURY FRENCH WRITER
AND HISTORIAN NAMED

AND HISTORIAN NAMED
FERDINAND DENIS DID INCLUDE

FERDINAND DENIS DID INCLUDE
SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT

SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT
IN A BOOK ABOUT WONDERS

IN A BOOK ABOUT WONDERS
OF THE WORLD, HIS ORIGINAL

OF THE WORLD, HIS ORIGINAL
SOURCE FOR THE INFORMATION

SOURCE FOR THE INFORMATION
IS IN QUESTION.

IS IN QUESTION.
WHAT ISN'T IN QUESTION

WHAT ISN'T IN QUESTION
IS THE FACT THAT COLUMBUS DID

IS THE FACT THAT COLUMBUS DID
FIND LAND IN 1492,

FIND LAND IN 1492,
AND IT WAS THE BAHAMAS.

AND IT WAS THE BAHAMAS.
BUT WHAT BRENDAN FOUND ALMOST

BUT WHAT BRENDAN FOUND ALMOST
1,000 YEARS EARLIER MAY HAVE

1,000 YEARS EARLIER MAY HAVE
BEEN MODERN-DAY CONNECTICUT.

>> THIS SITE HERE AT THE
GUNGYWAMP HAS ALL OF THE KINDS

GUNGYWAMP HAS ALL OF THE KINDS
OF EVIDENCE THAT WE WOULD EXPECT

OF EVIDENCE THAT WE WOULD EXPECT
TO SEE IN AN IRISH

TO SEE IN AN IRISH
EARLY CHRISTIAN SITE

EARLY CHRISTIAN SITE
OF BRENDAN'S TIME.

OF BRENDAN'S TIME.
>> narrator: SPREADING OUT

>> narrator: SPREADING OUT
OVER 100 ACRES, THE GUNGYWAMP

OVER 100 ACRES, THE GUNGYWAMP
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN GROTON,

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN GROTON,
CONNECTICUT, IS HOME TO

CONNECTICUT, IS HOME TO
STONE CHAMBERS, DWELLINGS,

STONE CHAMBERS, DWELLINGS,
AND ROCK CARVINGS SOME

AND ROCK CARVINGS SOME
ASSOCIATE WITH SAINT BRENDAN.

ASSOCIATE WITH SAINT BRENDAN.
THEY WERE HERE EVEN BEFORE

THEY WERE HERE EVEN BEFORE
ENGLISH COLONISTS SETTLED

ENGLISH COLONISTS SETTLED
THE AREA IN THE 1600s.

THE AREA IN THE 1600s.
THE STONE CHAMBERS AT THE SITE

THE STONE CHAMBERS AT THE SITE
DON'T LOOK SOPHISTICATED

DON'T LOOK SOPHISTICATED
AT FIRST GLANCE, BUT THEY HAVE

AT FIRST GLANCE, BUT THEY HAVE
UNDENIABLE FEATURES THAT

UNDENIABLE FEATURES THAT
SUGGEST THEY SERVED

SUGGEST THEY SERVED
A RELIGIOUS PURPOSE.

A RELIGIOUS PURPOSE.
ON THE VERNAL AND AUTUMNAL

ON THE VERNAL AND AUTUMNAL
EQUINOXES, SUNLIGHT SHINES

EQUINOXES, SUNLIGHT SHINES
THROUGH THIS WINDOW,

THROUGH THIS WINDOW,
ILLUMINATING THE CHAMBER.

ILLUMINATING THE CHAMBER.
>> THE DATES THAT THE SUN SHINES

>> THE DATES THAT THE SUN SHINES
INTO THIS CHAMBER ARE OF

INTO THIS CHAMBER ARE OF
SIGNIFICANCE TO THE IRISH

SIGNIFICANCE TO THE IRISH
EARLY CHRISTIAN

EARLY CHRISTIAN
LITURGICAL CYCLE.

LITURGICAL CYCLE.
IT'S THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SUN'S

IT'S THE OCCURRENCE OF THE SUN'S
POSITION ON THE VERNAL EQUINOX

POSITION ON THE VERNAL EQUINOX
WHICH HERALDS THE APPROACHING

WHICH HERALDS THE APPROACHING
DATE FOR EASTER.

DATE FOR EASTER.
>> narrator: BETWEEN

>> narrator: BETWEEN
THE SIXTH AND TENTH CENTURIES,

THE SIXTH AND TENTH CENTURIES,
SOLAR ALIGNMENTS LIKE THE ONES

SOLAR ALIGNMENTS LIKE THE ONES
FOUND AT THE GUNGYWAMP SITE

FOUND AT THE GUNGYWAMP SITE
WERE A COMPONENT OF SMALL

WERE A COMPONENT OF SMALL
IRISH CHURCHES, LIKE THE

IRISH CHURCHES, LIKE THE
GALLARUS ORATORY ON THE

GALLARUS ORATORY ON THE
DINGLE PENINSULA.

DINGLE PENINSULA.
>> IT HAS AN EAST-WEST

>> IT HAS AN EAST-WEST
ALIGNMENT, THE EAST WINDOW

ALIGNMENT, THE EAST WINDOW
AND THE WEST DOORWAY OVER HERE,

AND THE WEST DOORWAY OVER HERE,
AND THE STONES HAVE BEEN VERY

AND THE STONES HAVE BEEN VERY
CAREFULLY SELECTED TO BUILD

CAREFULLY SELECTED TO BUILD
SUCH A PERFECT BUILDING.

SUCH A PERFECT BUILDING.
>> narrator: SOLAR ALIGNMENTS

>> narrator: SOLAR ALIGNMENTS
AND STONE MASONRY ALONE

AND STONE MASONRY ALONE
CAN'T PROVE THE IRISH MADE IT

CAN'T PROVE THE IRISH MADE IT
TO WHAT WOULD BECOME

TO WHAT WOULD BECOME
THE UNITED STATES,

THE UNITED STATES,
BUT THESE COULD BE ANOTHER

BUT THESE COULD BE ANOTHER
PIECE OF EVIDENCE.

PIECE OF EVIDENCE.
THEY'RE SYMBOLS CALLED CHI-RHOS.

THEY'RE SYMBOLS CALLED CHI-RHOS.
OUTLINING THEM IN CHALK

OUTLINING THEM IN CHALK
MAKES THEM EASIER TO SEE.

MAKES THEM EASIER TO SEE.
>> THEY ARE FULLY CONSISTENT

>> THEY ARE FULLY CONSISTENT
WITH THE IRISH EARLY CHRISTIAN

WITH THE IRISH EARLY CHRISTIAN
TRADITION, THAT IS TO SAY,

TRADITION, THAT IS TO SAY,
ROUGHLY 500 TO, LET'S SAY,

ROUGHLY 500 TO, LET'S SAY,
900 A.D.

900 A.D.
>> narrator: A CHI-RHO IS

>> narrator: A CHI-RHO IS
AN ANCIENT RELIGIOUS SYMBOL.

AN ANCIENT RELIGIOUS SYMBOL.
IT'S MADE BY SUPERIMPOSING

IT'S MADE BY SUPERIMPOSING
THE FIRST TWO GREEK LETTERS,

THE FIRST TWO GREEK LETTERS,
CHI AND RHO,

CHI AND RHO,
USED TO SPELL CHRIST.

USED TO SPELL CHRIST.
BELIEVERS THINK THE IRISH LEFT

BELIEVERS THINK THE IRISH LEFT
THESE HERE AT THE TIME OF

THESE HERE AT THE TIME OF
SAINT BRENDAN, BUT THEY CAN'T

SAINT BRENDAN, BUT THEY CAN'T
PROVE IT BECAUSE THE ETCHING

PROVE IT BECAUSE THE ETCHING
ON THIS TYPE OF STONE CAN'T BE

ON THIS TYPE OF STONE CAN'T BE
ACCURATELY DATED.

ACCURATELY DATED.
THERE ARE CHARCOAL REMNANTS

THERE ARE CHARCOAL REMNANTS
HERE THAT DATE TO 556 A.D.,

HERE THAT DATE TO 556 A.D.,
SO SOMEONE MADE FIRES THAT FAR

SO SOMEONE MADE FIRES THAT FAR
BACK, BUT THERE'S NO PROOF

BACK, BUT THERE'S NO PROOF
IT WAS THE IRISH.

IT WAS THE IRISH.
IF THEY WERE HERE, THEY DIDN'T

IF THEY WERE HERE, THEY DIDN'T
LEAVE BEHIND ANY OF THEIR

LEAVE BEHIND ANY OF THEIR
WRITTEN LANGUAGE, CALLED OGHAM,

WRITTEN LANGUAGE, CALLED OGHAM,
BUT THERE MAY BE EVIDENCE OF

BUT THERE MAY BE EVIDENCE OF
OGHAM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN AMERICA.

OGHAM SOMEWHERE ELSE IN AMERICA.
>> OGHAMS WERE USED EITHER

>> OGHAMS WERE USED EITHER
AS A MEMORIAL OR A LAND CLAIM,

AS A MEMORIAL OR A LAND CLAIM,
LAND MARKER.

LAND MARKER.
>> narrator: OGHAM LOOKS

>> narrator: OGHAM LOOKS
TO MOST PEOPLE LIKE

TO MOST PEOPLE LIKE
A SERIES OF NONSENSICAL

A SERIES OF NONSENSICAL
HASH MARKS, BUT THE LINES

HASH MARKS, BUT THE LINES
TRANSLATE INTO LETTERS

TRANSLATE INTO LETTERS
OF THE ALPHABET.

OF THE ALPHABET.
>> THESE MARKS ARE FOUND ALL

>> THESE MARKS ARE FOUND ALL
OVER NORTH AMERICA, THE UNITED

OVER NORTH AMERICA, THE UNITED
STATES AND CANADA.

STATES AND CANADA.
>> narrator: THESE WERE FOUND

>> narrator: THESE WERE FOUND
AT BUCKHORN STATE PARK

AT BUCKHORN STATE PARK
IN KENTUCKY.

IN KENTUCKY.
>> IN THE MIDDLE PANEL, THERE

>> IN THE MIDDLE PANEL, THERE
WERE THINGS THAT I COULD GRASP

WERE THINGS THAT I COULD GRASP
IN OLD CELTIC, AND IT WAS SAYING

IN OLD CELTIC, AND IT WAS SAYING
THINGS LIKE, "WE ARE A BAND OF

THINGS LIKE, "WE ARE A BAND OF
PEOPLE TRAVELING FROM ACROSS..."

PEOPLE TRAVELING FROM ACROSS..."
IT COULD BE FROM ACROSS THE

IT COULD BE FROM ACROSS THE
APPALACHIANS OR ACROSS THE SEA.

APPALACHIANS OR ACROSS THE SEA.
THE DEBATE IS, ARE THESE TRULY

THE DEBATE IS, ARE THESE TRULY
OGHAMS OR ARE THEY SOMETHING

OGHAMS OR ARE THEY SOMETHING
ELSE?

ELSE?
SOME OF IT CAN READ

SOME OF IT CAN READ
AS OLD CELTIC, AND SOME OF IT

AS OLD CELTIC, AND SOME OF IT
CAN READ AS ALGONQUIN.

CAN READ AS ALGONQUIN.
THEY LOOK VERY, VERY, VERY

THEY LOOK VERY, VERY, VERY
MUCH ALIKE.

MUCH ALIKE.
MOST AMERICAN SCHOLARS

MOST AMERICAN SCHOLARS
DO NOT REGARD OGHAM

DO NOT REGARD OGHAM
AS AUTHENTIC.

AS AUTHENTIC.
>> YOU WOULD NEED AN IRISH

>> YOU WOULD NEED AN IRISH
EXPERT, PERHAPS, TO GO OUT,

EXPERT, PERHAPS, TO GO OUT,
LOOK AT YOUR INSCRIPTIONS,

LOOK AT YOUR INSCRIPTIONS,
AND SEE IF THEY COULD READ THEM,

AND SEE IF THEY COULD READ THEM,
SEE IF THEY COULD MAKE ANY SENSE

SEE IF THEY COULD MAKE ANY SENSE
OF THEM.

OF THEM.
>> narrator: WITH NO HARD

>> narrator: WITH NO HARD
EVIDENCE, NO UNDENIABLE REMNANTS

EVIDENCE, NO UNDENIABLE REMNANTS
OF SIXTH-CENTURY IRISH

OF SIXTH-CENTURY IRISH
FOUND IN AMERICA,

FOUND IN AMERICA,
SAINT BRENDAN'S LEGEND OF

SAINT BRENDAN'S LEGEND OF
AN AMERICAN LANDFALL MAY BE

AN AMERICAN LANDFALL MAY BE
JUST THAT, A LEGEND.

JUST THAT, A LEGEND.
>> ARCHAEOLOGISTS LOOK AT

>> ARCHAEOLOGISTS LOOK AT
WHAT'S LEFT.

WHAT'S LEFT.
WE TRY TO FIND EVIDENCE TO

WE TRY TO FIND EVIDENCE TO
SUGGEST WHETHER A MYTH IS JUST

SUGGEST WHETHER A MYTH IS JUST
THAT OR IF IT TELLS

THAT OR IF IT TELLS
A FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH THAT'S BEEN

A FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH THAT'S BEEN
FORGOTTEN.

FORGOTTEN.
WE HAVEN'T FOUND THAT EVIDENCE

WE HAVEN'T FOUND THAT EVIDENCE
FOR THE BRENDAN VOYAGE.

FOR THE BRENDAN VOYAGE.
>> narrator: SAINT BRENDAN

>> narrator: SAINT BRENDAN
DIED IN 577 A.D., LEAVING BEHIND

DIED IN 577 A.D., LEAVING BEHIND
THE MYSTERY OF HIS PARADISE.

THE MYSTERY OF HIS PARADISE.
AT THE ROOT OF HIS JOURNEY WAS

AT THE ROOT OF HIS JOURNEY WAS
RELIGION AND A DESIRE TO SPREAD

RELIGION AND A DESIRE TO SPREAD
HIS BELIEFS.

HIS BELIEFS.
IN THAT WAY, HE WAS LIKE OTHERS

IN THAT WAY, HE WAS LIKE OTHERS
WHO MAY HAVE COME TO AMERICA

WHO MAY HAVE COME TO AMERICA
EVEN BEFORE HIM.

EVEN BEFORE HIM.
A VOYAGE BY ANCIENT HEBREWS

A VOYAGE BY ANCIENT HEBREWS
TO AMERICA BEFORE THE TIME

TO AMERICA BEFORE THE TIME
OF CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION

OF CHRIST IS THE FOUNDATION
FOR AN ENTIRE RELIGION.

FOR AN ENTIRE RELIGION.
NOW COULD BLOOD EVIDENCE PROVE

NOW COULD BLOOD EVIDENCE PROVE
NOT ONLY THAT THEY WERE HERE

NOT ONLY THAT THEY WERE HERE
BUT THAT THEY'RE THE ANCESTORS

BUT THAT THEY'RE THE ANCESTORS
OF MODERN-DAY CHEROKEE?

>> narrator: ISRAEL, 600 B.C.,
2,092 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

2,092 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,
POMPEII IS FOUNDED IN ITALY,

POMPEII IS FOUNDED IN ITALY,
LATER TO BE DESTROYED BY

LATER TO BE DESTROYED BY
THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS,

THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT VESUVIUS,
AND THE MAYAN CULTURE

AND THE MAYAN CULTURE
IS FLOURISHING IN MESOAMERICA.

IS FLOURISHING IN MESOAMERICA.
IN ISRAEL, JERUSALEM WILL SOON

IN ISRAEL, JERUSALEM WILL SOON
BE TAKEN OVER BY THE BABYLONIANS

BE TAKEN OVER BY THE BABYLONIANS
AND THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON

AND THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON
DESTROYED.

DESTROYED.
ANCIENT HEBREWS ARE FLEEING

ANCIENT HEBREWS ARE FLEEING
BUT WHERE TO?

BUT WHERE TO?
>> THE THOUGHT OF EARLY HEBREWS

>> THE THOUGHT OF EARLY HEBREWS
COMING TO THE NEW WORLD

COMING TO THE NEW WORLD
HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF A GREAT DEAL

HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF A GREAT DEAL
OF DISCUSSION GOING ALL THE WAY

OF DISCUSSION GOING ALL THE WAY
BACK TO THE 19TH CENTURY.

BACK TO THE 19TH CENTURY.
>> narrator: THE CHURCH OF

>> narrator: THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY

JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS IS BASED IN PART

SAINTS IS BASED IN PART
ON THE BOOK OF MORMON

ON THE BOOK OF MORMON
WHICH TELLS HOW A PROPHET

WHICH TELLS HOW A PROPHET
NAMED LEHI AND HIS SONS

NAMED LEHI AND HIS SONS
BUILT A BOAT AND SAILED IT

BUILT A BOAT AND SAILED IT
TO AMERICA AROUND 600 B.C.

TO AMERICA AROUND 600 B.C.
ARTISTIC RENDERINGS OFTEN

ARTISTIC RENDERINGS OFTEN
DEPICT IT AS A TYPE OF ARK

DEPICT IT AS A TYPE OF ARK
WITH SAILS, BUT THERE WAS

WITH SAILS, BUT THERE WAS
ANOTHER TYPE OF SHIP ISRAELITES

ANOTHER TYPE OF SHIP ISRAELITES
WERE USING AT THAT TIME.

WERE USING AT THAT TIME.
>> THE ROMAN SHIPS THAT THE

>> THE ROMAN SHIPS THAT THE
HEBREWS WOULD HAVE USED HAD THEY

HEBREWS WOULD HAVE USED HAD THEY
MADE SUCH A VOYAGE WOULD BE

MADE SUCH A VOYAGE WOULD BE
SOLID BUILT, ROUND-FORMED HULLS,

SOLID BUILT, ROUND-FORMED HULLS,
HEAVILY FRAMED,

HEAVILY FRAMED,
THAT IS, THICK RIBBED,

THAT IS, THICK RIBBED,
CARRYING A SQUARE SAIL

CARRYING A SQUARE SAIL
WITH A HIGH-ELEVATED

WITH A HIGH-ELEVATED
BOW AND STERN,

BOW AND STERN,
CAPABLE OF CARRYING ALL SORTS

CAPABLE OF CARRYING ALL SORTS
OF CARGO AND PEOPLE.

OF CARGO AND PEOPLE.
>> narrator: LEHI'S ALLEGED

>> narrator: LEHI'S ALLEGED
ROUTE WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM

ROUTE WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM
FROM OMAN THROUGH THE INDIAN

FROM OMAN THROUGH THE INDIAN
AND PACIFIC OCEANS TO THE

AND PACIFIC OCEANS TO THE
CENTRAL AMERICAN COAST.

CENTRAL AMERICAN COAST.
EVEN USING OCEAN CURRENTS,

EVEN USING OCEAN CURRENTS,
THE DRIFTERS SUGGEST

THE DRIFTERS SUGGEST
IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN 580 DAYS.

IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN 580 DAYS.
THAT'S MORE THAN

THAT'S MORE THAN
A YEAR AND A HALF.

A YEAR AND A HALF.
>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S
A QUESTION OF SHIPS MAKING IT.

A QUESTION OF SHIPS MAKING IT.
A VESSEL CAN MAKE IT WITH

A VESSEL CAN MAKE IT WITH
DEAD PEOPLE.

DEAD PEOPLE.
THE QUESTION IS WHETHER PEOPLE

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER PEOPLE
WOULD MAKE IT IN THAT VOYAGE

WOULD MAKE IT IN THAT VOYAGE
IF IT TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF TIME

IF IT TOOK A GREAT DEAL OF TIME
OR THEY HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING

OR THEY HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING
WHERE THEY WERE GOING.

WHERE THEY WERE GOING.
>> narrator: LEHI ISN'T

>> narrator: LEHI ISN'T
THE ONLY ANCIENT ISRAELITE

THE ONLY ANCIENT ISRAELITE
THOUGHT BY SOME TO HAVE MADE IT

THOUGHT BY SOME TO HAVE MADE IT
TO AMERICA.

TO AMERICA.
THERE IS OTHER LORE THAT

THERE IS OTHER LORE THAT
ONE OF THE TEN LOST TRIBES

ONE OF THE TEN LOST TRIBES
OF ISRAEL EXILED BY

OF ISRAEL EXILED BY
THE ASSYRIANS IN 700 B.C.

THE ASSYRIANS IN 700 B.C.
ALSO ENDED UP IN THE NEW WORLD.

ALSO ENDED UP IN THE NEW WORLD.
EITHER SCENARIO ENDS WITH

EITHER SCENARIO ENDS WITH
THE SAME ASSUMPTION,

THE SAME ASSUMPTION,
THAT ANCIENT JEWISH PEOPLE

THAT ANCIENT JEWISH PEOPLE
ARE THE ANCESTORS

ARE THE ANCESTORS
OF SOME NATIVE AMERICANS.

OF SOME NATIVE AMERICANS.
>> WE ARE A JEWISH PEOPLE

>> WE ARE A JEWISH PEOPLE
BY RACE AND BY CULTURE.

BY RACE AND BY CULTURE.
ALL OF OUR CEREMONIAL DAYS

ALL OF OUR CEREMONIAL DAYS
ARE EXACTLY THE SAME TIME

ARE EXACTLY THE SAME TIME
AS THE JEWISH PEOPLE, AND THAT

AS THE JEWISH PEOPLE, AND THAT
CANNOT BE OF ANY ACCIDENT

CANNOT BE OF ANY ACCIDENT
OR ANY COINCIDENCE AT ALL.

OR ANY COINCIDENCE AT ALL.
>> narrator: LIGHT-SKINNED

>> narrator: LIGHT-SKINNED
MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL BAND

MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL BAND
OF CHEROKEE DON'T LOOK LIKE

OF CHEROKEE DON'T LOOK LIKE
MANY NATIVE AMERICANS.

MANY NATIVE AMERICANS.
CHEROKEE STARTED MINGLING WITH

CHEROKEE STARTED MINGLING WITH
WHITE SETTLERS MUCH EARLIER THAN

WHITE SETTLERS MUCH EARLIER THAN
OTHER NORTH AMERICAN TRIBES,

OTHER NORTH AMERICAN TRIBES,
AS EARLY AS THE 1600s.

AS EARLY AS THE 1600s.
THAT'S ONE POSSIBLE EXPLANATION

THAT'S ONE POSSIBLE EXPLANATION
FOR THEIR SKIN COLOR.

FOR THEIR SKIN COLOR.
BUT COULD ANOTHER BE THAT

BUT COULD ANOTHER BE THAT
THEY DON'T HAVE ORIGINS IN ASIA

THEY DON'T HAVE ORIGINS IN ASIA
LIKE MOST NATIVE AMERICANS DO?

LIKE MOST NATIVE AMERICANS DO?
SO STRONG IS THE CENTRAL BAND'S

SO STRONG IS THE CENTRAL BAND'S
BELIEF THAT THEY HAVE JEWISH

BELIEF THAT THEY HAVE JEWISH
ANCESTRY AND ORIGINS IN ANCIENT

ANCESTRY AND ORIGINS IN ANCIENT
ISRAEL, THEY SET OUT TO PROVE

ISRAEL, THEY SET OUT TO PROVE
IT BY BLOOD.

IT BY BLOOD.
>> WELL, WE KNEW THAT DNA

>> WELL, WE KNEW THAT DNA
WOULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLE

WOULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLE
IN THIS PROOF OR DISPROOF.

IN THIS PROOF OR DISPROOF.
SO WE'VE DONE A CONSIDERABLE

SO WE'VE DONE A CONSIDERABLE
AMOUNT OF DNA TESTING WITH

AMOUNT OF DNA TESTING WITH
FAMILY TREE DNA.

FAMILY TREE DNA.
>> WE DO A MULTITUDE OF THINGS.

>> WE DO A MULTITUDE OF THINGS.
WE CONNECT PEOPLE

WE CONNECT PEOPLE
BOTH GENEALOGICALLY AND

BOTH GENEALOGICALLY AND
ANTHROPOLOGICALLY TO THEIR

ANTHROPOLOGICALLY TO THEIR
ANCESTORS.

ANCESTORS.
WE'RE ALSO ABLE TO DETERMINE

WE'RE ALSO ABLE TO DETERMINE
SOMEONE'S DEEPER ANCESTRY,

SOMEONE'S DEEPER ANCESTRY,
WHAT WE CALL THEIR

WHAT WE CALL THEIR
ANTHROGENEALOGICAL INFORMATION.

ANTHROGENEALOGICAL INFORMATION.
AND WHAT THAT DOES IS,

AND WHAT THAT DOES IS,
THAT TRACKS THE INDIVIDUAL

THAT TRACKS THE INDIVIDUAL
BACK NOT HUNDREDS OF YEARS,

BACK NOT HUNDREDS OF YEARS,
AS WE DO IN GENEALOGY,

AS WE DO IN GENEALOGY,
BUT THOUSANDS OR

BUT THOUSANDS OR
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SUIT UP.

EVERYBODY NEEDS TO SUIT UP.
>> narrator: CHIEF SITTING OWL'S

>> narrator: CHIEF SITTING OWL'S
BLOOD WAS TESTED ALONG WITH

BLOOD WAS TESTED ALONG WITH
THE BLOOD OF 89 OTHER MEMBERS

THE BLOOD OF 89 OTHER MEMBERS
OF THE CENTRAL BAND OF CHEROKEE

OF THE CENTRAL BAND OF CHEROKEE
FOR ASSIGNMENT INTO

FOR ASSIGNMENT INTO
WHAT'S CALLED A HAPLOGROUP,

WHAT'S CALLED A HAPLOGROUP,
OR GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH

OR GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH
A COMMON DNA SEQUENCE.

A COMMON DNA SEQUENCE.
JEWISH PEOPLE TYPICALLY FALL

JEWISH PEOPLE TYPICALLY FALL
INTO ONE OF FOUR HAPLOGROUPS.

INTO ONE OF FOUR HAPLOGROUPS.
>> A GREAT AMOUNT OF OUR BELIEFS

>> A GREAT AMOUNT OF OUR BELIEFS
AND PRACTICES ARE JEWISH.

AND PRACTICES ARE JEWISH.
WE HAVE THE HISTORICAL RECORD

WE HAVE THE HISTORICAL RECORD
THAT COMES FROM THE ORAL

THAT COMES FROM THE ORAL
HISTORY.

HISTORY.
>> narrator: BUT WILL THEY HAVE

>> narrator: BUT WILL THEY HAVE
THE BLOOD EVIDENCE?

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO
ARCHAEOLOGY PROVING AN ANCIENT

ARCHAEOLOGY PROVING AN ANCIENT
HEBREW MIGRATION TO

HEBREW MIGRATION TO
THE UNITED STATES,

THE UNITED STATES,
SUCH PROOF IS HARD TO COME BY.

SUCH PROOF IS HARD TO COME BY.
NEW MEXICO STATE ARCHAEOLOGIST

NEW MEXICO STATE ARCHAEOLOGIST
DAVID ECK HAS LED

DAVID ECK HAS LED
MORE THAN HIS SHARE OF PEOPLE

MORE THAN HIS SHARE OF PEOPLE
INTO THE LOS LUNAS DESERT

INTO THE LOS LUNAS DESERT
TO LOOK AT THIS STONE

TO LOOK AT THIS STONE
ETCHED WITH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

ETCHED WITH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE

IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE
PALEO-HEBREW.

PALEO-HEBREW.
IT'S JUST ONE OF SEVERAL STONES

IT'S JUST ONE OF SEVERAL STONES
IN THE UNITED STATES

IN THE UNITED STATES
PEOPLE CLAIM IS EVIDENCE OF

PEOPLE CLAIM IS EVIDENCE OF
AN ANCIENT ISRAELITE MIGRATION.

AN ANCIENT ISRAELITE MIGRATION.
>> THERE ARE MANY THEORIES ABOUT

>> THERE ARE MANY THEORIES ABOUT
WHAT THE STONE IS, ALL THE WAY

WHAT THE STONE IS, ALL THE WAY
FROM EXTRATERRESTRIALS CARVING

FROM EXTRATERRESTRIALS CARVING
A MESSAGE FOR HUMANITY

A MESSAGE FOR HUMANITY
TO LOST TRIBES OF ISRAEL

TO LOST TRIBES OF ISRAEL
WANDERING THE DESERTS OF

WANDERING THE DESERTS OF
THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST.

THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST.
>> LOOKING AT THIS THING,

>> LOOKING AT THIS THING,
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT JUMPS OUT

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT JUMPS OUT
RIGHT AWAY IS,

RIGHT AWAY IS,
THESE CHARACTERS LOOK

THESE CHARACTERS LOOK
RELATIVELY FRESH.

RELATIVELY FRESH.
>> narrator: PRACTICALLY SINCE

>> narrator: PRACTICALLY SINCE
ITS DISCOVERY IN THE EARLY

ITS DISCOVERY IN THE EARLY
1900s, THE STONE HAS BEEN

1900s, THE STONE HAS BEEN
SUBJECT TO VANDALISM,

SUBJECT TO VANDALISM,
PEOPLE SCRATCHING

PEOPLE SCRATCHING
THE INSCRIPTION,

THE INSCRIPTION,
EVEN ADDING TO IT IN SOME CASES.

EVEN ADDING TO IT IN SOME CASES.
>> THIS MARK HAS BEEN ALTERED.

>> THIS MARK HAS BEEN ALTERED.
AS FAR AS I KNOW, NO WORK HAS

AS FAR AS I KNOW, NO WORK HAS
BEEN DONE TRYING TO DATE

BEEN DONE TRYING TO DATE
THE INSCRIPTION BECAUSE THERE

THE INSCRIPTION BECAUSE THERE
ARE VERY FEW METHODS

ARE VERY FEW METHODS
THAT I KNOW OF THAT WOULD

THAT I KNOW OF THAT WOULD
EVEN ALLOW THE POSSIBILITY

EVEN ALLOW THE POSSIBILITY
OF DATING.

OF DATING.
WE'RE HOPING THAT TODAY

WE'RE HOPING THAT TODAY
WE'LL FIND OUT SOME OF THOSE

WE'LL FIND OUT SOME OF THOSE
POSSIBILITIES.

POSSIBILITIES.
>> narrator: THE STATE AGREED

>> narrator: THE STATE AGREED
TO ALLOW FORENSIC PETROGRAPHER

TO ALLOW FORENSIC PETROGRAPHER
SCOTT WOLTER TO PERFORM

SCOTT WOLTER TO PERFORM
NONINVASIVE TESTING TO HOPEFULLY

NONINVASIVE TESTING TO HOPEFULLY
PROVE WHEN THIS STONE

PROVE WHEN THIS STONE
WAS CARVED.

WAS CARVED.
>> WHAT WE NEED TO DO

>> WHAT WE NEED TO DO
IS TRY TO FIND SOME

IS TRY TO FIND SOME
ORIGINAL MARKS, LIKE MAYBE HERE.

ORIGINAL MARKS, LIKE MAYBE HERE.
THIS LOOKS LIKE THEY MAY HAVE

THIS LOOKS LIKE THEY MAY HAVE
LEFT THIS AREA ALONE.

LEFT THIS AREA ALONE.
>> narrator: WOLTER PHOTOGRAPHS

>> narrator: WOLTER PHOTOGRAPHS
THE STONE WITH A CAMERA

THE STONE WITH A CAMERA
OUTFITTED AS A PORTABLE

OUTFITTED AS A PORTABLE
MICROSCOPE.

MICROSCOPE.
>> BY NATURE, MY WORK IS

>> BY NATURE, MY WORK IS
INVASIVE, BUT IN THIS CASE,

INVASIVE, BUT IN THIS CASE,
IT HAS TO BE TOTALLY

IT HAS TO BE TOTALLY
NONINVASIVE.

NONINVASIVE.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS,

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS,
YOU SEE THIS WEATHERED SURFACE?

YOU SEE THIS WEATHERED SURFACE?
IT'D BE NICE TO GET A PIECE

IT'D BE NICE TO GET A PIECE
THAT I COULD CUT INTO AND LOOK

THAT I COULD CUT INTO AND LOOK
AT THAT WEATHERING PROFILE.

AT THAT WEATHERING PROFILE.
AND I'M JUST PICKING OUT A PIECE

AND I'M JUST PICKING OUT A PIECE
RIGHT HERE.

RIGHT HERE.
THIS ONE KIND OF HAS

THIS ONE KIND OF HAS
A SIMILAR LOOK TO IT.

A SIMILAR LOOK TO IT.
>> IT LOOKS VERY SIMILAR.

>> IT LOOKS VERY SIMILAR.
>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.
>> I SEE NO CARVINGS ON IT.

>> I SEE NO CARVINGS ON IT.
THAT WOULD BE THE SAMPLE.

THAT WOULD BE THE SAMPLE.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
THAT'LL WORK.

THAT'LL WORK.
>> narrator: BACK IN THE LAB,

>> narrator: BACK IN THE LAB,
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.

THE MOMENT OF TRUTH.
CAN THE INSCRIPTION BE DATED?

CAN THE INSCRIPTION BE DATED?
WOLTER COMPARES THE SAMPLE

WOLTER COMPARES THE SAMPLE
WITH THE PHOTOS HE TOOK

WITH THE PHOTOS HE TOOK
AND WITH PHOTOS TAKEN

AND WITH PHOTOS TAKEN
BY OTHERS MANY YEARS AGO

BY OTHERS MANY YEARS AGO
IN AN ATTEMPT TO USE

IN AN ATTEMPT TO USE
THE WEATHERING PERIOD

THE WEATHERING PERIOD
OF EXPOSED MINERALS IN

OF EXPOSED MINERALS IN
THE INSCRIPTION TO DATE IT.

THE INSCRIPTION TO DATE IT.
>> ARE THERE FEATURES THAT I SEE

>> ARE THERE FEATURES THAT I SEE
ON THIS THAT WOULD LEAD ME TO

ON THIS THAT WOULD LEAD ME TO
BELIEVE THAT IT'S MORE LIKELY

BELIEVE THAT IT'S MORE LIKELY
OF RECENT AGE AS OPPOSED

OF RECENT AGE AS OPPOSED
TO BEING OLD?

TO BEING OLD?
I WOULD SAY NO.

I WOULD SAY NO.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKE

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKE
A CONCLUSION THAT WAY.

A CONCLUSION THAT WAY.
>> narrator: THE VANDALISM

>> narrator: THE VANDALISM
OF THE INSCRIPTION IS TOO SEVERE

OF THE INSCRIPTION IS TOO SEVERE
FOR GEOLOGY TO CONCLUDE

FOR GEOLOGY TO CONCLUDE
WHEN IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CARVED.

WHEN IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CARVED.
>> THE FACT THAT THE STONE HAS

>> THE FACT THAT THE STONE HAS
BEEN CLEANED AND RETOOLED

BEEN CLEANED AND RETOOLED
AND WHO KNOWS WHAT DONE TO IT,

AND WHO KNOWS WHAT DONE TO IT,
THAT'S NOT HELPFUL.

THAT'S NOT HELPFUL.
>> PEOPLE WANT TO BELIEVE, AND

>> PEOPLE WANT TO BELIEVE, AND
AS SOON AS THEY WANT TO BELIEVE,

AS SOON AS THEY WANT TO BELIEVE,
THEY STOP THINKING.

THEY STOP THINKING.
>> narrator: ANOTHER STONE

>> narrator: ANOTHER STONE
WITH A MYSTERIOUS SEEMINGLY

WITH A MYSTERIOUS SEEMINGLY
HEBREW INSCRIPTION WAS FOUND

HEBREW INSCRIPTION WAS FOUND
HERE, ALONG THE BAT CREEK

HERE, ALONG THE BAT CREEK
IN EASTERN TENNESSEE.

IN EASTERN TENNESSEE.
SOME SAY THE INSCRIPTION

SOME SAY THE INSCRIPTION
TRANSLATES TO "FOR JUDEA,"

TRANSLATES TO "FOR JUDEA,"
A REFERENCE TO ANCIENT ISRAEL.

A REFERENCE TO ANCIENT ISRAEL.
IT WAS FOUND 1889,

IT WAS FOUND 1889,
ALONG WITH WOOD FRAGMENTS

ALONG WITH WOOD FRAGMENTS
THAT WERE CARBON-14 DATED

THAT WERE CARBON-14 DATED
TO SOME TIME BETWEEN THE FIRST

TO SOME TIME BETWEEN THE FIRST
AND EIGHTH CENTURY A.D.

AND EIGHTH CENTURY A.D.
IT WAS FOUND IN A CHEROKEE

IT WAS FOUND IN A CHEROKEE
BURIAL MOUND.

BURIAL MOUND.
>> THE ARTIFACTS THAT HAVE BEEN

>> THE ARTIFACTS THAT HAVE BEEN
FOUND IN THIS AREA WHERE THE

FOUND IN THIS AREA WHERE THE
CHEROKEE PEOPLE LIVE ARE VERY

CHEROKEE PEOPLE LIVE ARE VERY
IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE OF OUR

IMPORTANT TO US BECAUSE OF OUR
HERITAGE GOING BACK TO THE SAME

HERITAGE GOING BACK TO THE SAME
PEOPLE THAT BECAME THE CHEROKEE

PEOPLE THAT BECAME THE CHEROKEE
KNOWN TODAY.

KNOWN TODAY.
>> narrator: EXCEPT

>> narrator: EXCEPT
FAMILY TREE DNA SAYS THE RESULTS

FAMILY TREE DNA SAYS THE RESULTS
OF CHIEF SITTING OWL'S TESTS

OF CHIEF SITTING OWL'S TESTS
ARE IN, AND THEY ARE PROBLEMATIC

ARE IN, AND THEY ARE PROBLEMATIC
IN PROVING JEWISH ANCESTRY.

IN PROVING JEWISH ANCESTRY.
>> AS FAR AS TESTING HAS

>> AS FAR AS TESTING HAS
BEEN DONE WITH US, I SEE

BEEN DONE WITH US, I SEE
NO CONNECTION TO ANY ANCIENT

NO CONNECTION TO ANY ANCIENT
HEBRAIC OR JEWISH POPULATIONS

HEBRAIC OR JEWISH POPULATIONS
WHATSOEVER.

WHATSOEVER.
>> narrator: OF ALL THE MEMBERS

>> narrator: OF ALL THE MEMBERS
OF THE CENTRAL BAND OF CHEROKEE

OF THE CENTRAL BAND OF CHEROKEE
WHO WERE TESTED, ONLY 3% SHOW

WHO WERE TESTED, ONLY 3% SHOW
ANY JEWISH ANCESTRY, NOT ENOUGH

ANY JEWISH ANCESTRY, NOT ENOUGH
TO PROVE AN ANCIENT HEBREW

TO PROVE AN ANCIENT HEBREW
HERITAGE FOR THE PEOPLE IN

HERITAGE FOR THE PEOPLE IN
CHIEF SITTING OWL'S TRIBE.

CHIEF SITTING OWL'S TRIBE.
>> WILL WE EVER FIND THE FULL

>> WILL WE EVER FIND THE FULL
BLOODLINE OF THE CHEROKEE

BLOODLINE OF THE CHEROKEE
PEOPLE?

PEOPLE?
YES.

YES.
>> narrator: CHIEF SITTING OWL'S

>> narrator: CHIEF SITTING OWL'S
TRIBE ONLY REPRESENTS WHAT

TRIBE ONLY REPRESENTS WHAT
HE SAYS IS A SMALL NUMBER

HE SAYS IS A SMALL NUMBER
OF CHEROKEE, LESS THAN 1%.

OF CHEROKEE, LESS THAN 1%.
THE CENTRAL BAND ITSELF IS NOT

THE CENTRAL BAND ITSELF IS NOT
ONE OF THE THREE FEDERALLY

ONE OF THE THREE FEDERALLY
RECOGNIZED TRIBES OF CHEROKEE,

RECOGNIZED TRIBES OF CHEROKEE,
ALTHOUGH THE BUREAU OF INDIAN

ALTHOUGH THE BUREAU OF INDIAN
AFFAIRS OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGES

AFFAIRS OPENLY ACKNOWLEDGES
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH
CHEROKEE ANCESTRY THAT'S HARD

CHEROKEE ANCESTRY THAT'S HARD
TO TRACE.

TO TRACE.
>> WE HAVE A VERY UNIQUE

>> WE HAVE A VERY UNIQUE
SITUATION HERE IN THE CENTRAL

SITUATION HERE IN THE CENTRAL
BAND OF CHEROKEE.

BAND OF CHEROKEE.
WE WERE ISOLATED FROM THE MAIN

WE WERE ISOLATED FROM THE MAIN
BODY OF THE CHEROKEE IN NORTH

BODY OF THE CHEROKEE IN NORTH
CAROLINA AND NORTH GEORGIA.

CAROLINA AND NORTH GEORGIA.
>> narrator: DNA TESTING

>> narrator: DNA TESTING
OF MORE MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL

OF MORE MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL
BAND IS JUST GETTING UNDER WAY

BAND IS JUST GETTING UNDER WAY
IN WHAT'S CALLED

IN WHAT'S CALLED
THE ABRAHAM/MOSES PROJECT.

THE ABRAHAM/MOSES PROJECT.
SOME MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN

SOME MEMBERS OF THE EASTERN
BAND OF CHEROKEE, A TRIBE

BAND OF CHEROKEE, A TRIBE
THAT IS FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED,

THAT IS FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED,
ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THE

ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THE
RESULTS BECAUSE THEY TOO

RESULTS BECAUSE THEY TOO
SUSPECT A JEWISH ANCESTRY.

SUSPECT A JEWISH ANCESTRY.
EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT JEWISH,

EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT JEWISH,
CHIEF SITTING OWL SAYS

CHIEF SITTING OWL SAYS
THE TEST RESULTS FOR HIS TRIBE

THE TEST RESULTS FOR HIS TRIBE
ARE STILL VERY INTERESTING

ARE STILL VERY INTERESTING
IN PROVING WHO CAME TO AMERICA

IN PROVING WHO CAME TO AMERICA
BEFORE COLUMBUS AND HOW.

BEFORE COLUMBUS AND HOW.
>> OUR CHEROKEE DNA PROJECT

>> OUR CHEROKEE DNA PROJECT
HAS PROVEN THAT THE CHEROKEE DID

HAS PROVEN THAT THE CHEROKEE DID
NOT COME ACROSS THE BERING SEA.

NOT COME ACROSS THE BERING SEA.
>> narrator: 94% OF THOSE

>> narrator: 94% OF THOSE
TESTED IN THE CENTRAL BAND

TESTED IN THE CENTRAL BAND
SHOWED EUROPEAN ANCESTRY

SHOWED EUROPEAN ANCESTRY
GOING BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

GOING BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS.
EXACTLY HOW FAR BACK IS UNKNOWN.

EXACTLY HOW FAR BACK IS UNKNOWN.
THAT COULD MEAN THEY AREN'T

THAT COULD MEAN THEY AREN'T
CHEROKEE AT ALL.

CHEROKEE AT ALL.
IT COULD ALSO MEAN THEY MIXED

IT COULD ALSO MEAN THEY MIXED
HEAVILY WITH WHITE SETTLERS

HEAVILY WITH WHITE SETTLERS
IN THE NEW WORLD, OR IT COULD

IN THE NEW WORLD, OR IT COULD
MEAN THEY ARE DESCENDENTS

MEAN THEY ARE DESCENDENTS
OF EUROPEANS WHO WERE HERE EVEN

OF EUROPEANS WHO WERE HERE EVEN
BEFORE PALEO-INDIANS CROSSED

BEFORE PALEO-INDIANS CROSSED
THE BERING STRAIT.

THE BERING STRAIT.
IN A BOLD NEW THEORY,

IN A BOLD NEW THEORY,
A SMITHSONIAN ARCHAEOLOGIST

A SMITHSONIAN ARCHAEOLOGIST
SUGGESTS THE PEOPLE WHO CAME

SUGGESTS THE PEOPLE WHO CAME
FROM ASIA LEARNED TO MAKE THEIR

FROM ASIA LEARNED TO MAKE THEIR
TOOLS FROM EUROPEANS WHO WERE

TOOLS FROM EUROPEANS WHO WERE
ALREADY HERE MORE THAN

ALREADY HERE MORE THAN
20,000 YEARS AGO.

>> narrator: 22,000 B.C.,
23,492 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

23,492 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
IT'S THE ICE AGE, AND MUCH

IT'S THE ICE AGE, AND MUCH
OF THE EARTH'S WATER IS FROZEN,

OF THE EARTH'S WATER IS FROZEN,
MAKING SEA LEVELS WORLDWIDE

MAKING SEA LEVELS WORLDWIDE
450 FEET LOWER.

450 FEET LOWER.
IT'S STILL THOUSANDS OF YEARS

IT'S STILL THOUSANDS OF YEARS
BEFORE PALEO-INDIANS WILL CROSS

BEFORE PALEO-INDIANS WILL CROSS
THE BERING STRAIT LAND BRIDGE

THE BERING STRAIT LAND BRIDGE
FROM SIBERIA INTO NORTH AMERICA,

FROM SIBERIA INTO NORTH AMERICA,
BUT OFF THE COAST OF VIRGINIA,

BUT OFF THE COAST OF VIRGINIA,
SOMEONE WAS HUNTING

SOMEONE WAS HUNTING
A MASTODON AND LEFT A CLUE

A MASTODON AND LEFT A CLUE
THAT COULD MEAN EUROPEANS

THAT COULD MEAN EUROPEANS
REALLY WERE THE VERY FIRST

REALLY WERE THE VERY FIRST
TO FIND AMERICA.

TO FIND AMERICA.
>> THIS IS THE OLDEST ARTIFACT

>> THIS IS THE OLDEST ARTIFACT
IN THE AMERICAS.

IN THE AMERICAS.
THIS ARTIFACT DEFINITELY GOES

THIS ARTIFACT DEFINITELY GOES
WITH THAT MASTODON, AND WE HAVE

WITH THAT MASTODON, AND WE HAVE
A DATE ON THAT MASTODON OF

A DATE ON THAT MASTODON OF
ALMOST 24,000 YEARS.

ALMOST 24,000 YEARS.
>> narrator: SMITHSONIAN

>> narrator: SMITHSONIAN
ARCHAEOLOGIST DENNIS STANFORD

ARCHAEOLOGIST DENNIS STANFORD
SAYS THE ARTIFACT,

SAYS THE ARTIFACT,
CALLED A BIFACE,

CALLED A BIFACE,
LOOKS JUST LIKE THE ONES

LOOKS JUST LIKE THE ONES
SOLUTREANS MADE.

SOLUTREANS MADE.
THE SOLUTREANS WERE

THE SOLUTREANS WERE
HUNTER-GATHERERS IN SOUTHWESTERN

HUNTER-GATHERERS IN SOUTHWESTERN
EUROPE IN 22,000 B.C.

EUROPE IN 22,000 B.C.
STANFORD HYPOTHESIZES

STANFORD HYPOTHESIZES
THE SOLUTREANS USED SKIN BOATS

THE SOLUTREANS USED SKIN BOATS
TO REACH AMERICA ALONG

TO REACH AMERICA ALONG
THE POLAR ICE FRONT, WHICH

THE POLAR ICE FRONT, WHICH
EXTENDED MUCH FURTHER SOUTH

EXTENDED MUCH FURTHER SOUTH
DURING THE ICE AGE.

DURING THE ICE AGE.
>> IF YOU HAVE A BOAT,

>> IF YOU HAVE A BOAT,
IT CHANGES A LOT OF THINGS.

IT CHANGES A LOT OF THINGS.
IT MEANS THAT RIVERS, LAKES,

IT MEANS THAT RIVERS, LAKES,
OCEANS ARE NO LONGER BARRIERS

OCEANS ARE NO LONGER BARRIERS
TO HUMAN MOVEMENT BUT ARE

TO HUMAN MOVEMENT BUT ARE
THE HIGHWAYS OF HUMAN MOVEMENT.

THE HIGHWAYS OF HUMAN MOVEMENT.
>> narrator: THE ICE EDGE THEY

>> narrator: THE ICE EDGE THEY
FOLLOWED WOULD HAVE BEEN A PLACE

FOLLOWED WOULD HAVE BEEN A PLACE
TO CAMP AND HUNT SEAL

TO CAMP AND HUNT SEAL
FOR THEIR FAT.

FOR THEIR FAT.
>> IF YOU HAVE FAT,

>> IF YOU HAVE FAT,
YOU HAVE FOOD.

YOU HAVE FOOD.
YOU HAVE WATERPROOFING.

YOU HAVE WATERPROOFING.
YOU HAVE A SOURCE FOR FIRE.

YOU HAVE A SOURCE FOR FIRE.
IT'S REALLY A KEY ISSUE

IT'S REALLY A KEY ISSUE
THAT YOU NEED.

THAT YOU NEED.
>> narrator: STANFORD SAYS

>> narrator: STANFORD SAYS
ONCE THE SOLUTREANS WERE

ONCE THE SOLUTREANS WERE
IN AMERICA, THEY EVENTUALLY

IN AMERICA, THEY EVENTUALLY
CONVERGED WITH PALEO-INDIANS

CONVERGED WITH PALEO-INDIANS
WHO DID COME ACROSS

WHO DID COME ACROSS
THE BERING STRAIT LAND BRIDGE

THE BERING STRAIT LAND BRIDGE
FROM SIBERIA.

FROM SIBERIA.
TOGETHER, HE SAYS, THE

TOGETHER, HE SAYS, THE
TWO GROUPS FORMED WHAT'S CALLED

TWO GROUPS FORMED WHAT'S CALLED
THE CLOVIS CULTURE.

THE CLOVIS CULTURE.
HE SAYS THEIR CONVERGENCE

HE SAYS THEIR CONVERGENCE
IS THE ONLY WAY TO EXPLAIN

IS THE ONLY WAY TO EXPLAIN
UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS
OF CLOVIS STONE TOOLS

OF CLOVIS STONE TOOLS
FOUND THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS.

FOUND THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAS.
>> THIS IS A BLADE CORE,

>> THIS IS A BLADE CORE,
A CLOVIS BLADE CORE.

A CLOVIS BLADE CORE.
IT'S MADE IDENTICALLY TO THOSE

IT'S MADE IDENTICALLY TO THOSE
OF THE SOLUTREAN TIME PERIOD.

OF THE SOLUTREAN TIME PERIOD.
THERE WERE MANY, MANY TOOLS

THERE WERE MANY, MANY TOOLS
THAT WERE ABSOLUTELY

THAT WERE ABSOLUTELY
IDENTICAL AND UNIQUE

IDENTICAL AND UNIQUE
TO CLOVIS AND SOLUTREAN

TO CLOVIS AND SOLUTREAN
BUT DIFFERENT THAN

BUT DIFFERENT THAN
WHAT YOU GET IN SIBERIA.

WHAT YOU GET IN SIBERIA.
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING
IN ASIA THAT YOU COULD DERIVE

IN ASIA THAT YOU COULD DERIVE
CLOVIS TECHNOLOGY FROM.

CLOVIS TECHNOLOGY FROM.
>> narrator: WHILE STANFORD'S

>> narrator: WHILE STANFORD'S
THEORY THAT EUROPEANS REALLY

THEORY THAT EUROPEANS REALLY
WERE THE FIRST INHABITANTS

WERE THE FIRST INHABITANTS
OF THE NEW WORLD ISN'T WIDELY

OF THE NEW WORLD ISN'T WIDELY
ACCEPTED, IT MIGHT BE SOMEDAY.

ACCEPTED, IT MIGHT BE SOMEDAY.
>> I THINK IT'S VERY EXCITING,

>> I THINK IT'S VERY EXCITING,
AND WHETHER WE'RE RIGHT

AND WHETHER WE'RE RIGHT
OR WRONG, IT DOESN'T MAKE

OR WRONG, IT DOESN'T MAKE
ANY DIFFERENCE,

ANY DIFFERENCE,
BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE THINKING

BECAUSE WE HAVE PEOPLE THINKING
ABOUT IT.

ABOUT IT.
>> narrator: FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL

>> narrator: FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL
STUDIES FROM 13,000 YEARS AGO

STUDIES FROM 13,000 YEARS AGO
OR MORE, STONE TOOLS ARE SOME

OR MORE, STONE TOOLS ARE SOME
OF THE ONLY THINGS TO COMPARE.

OF THE ONLY THINGS TO COMPARE.
ONCE POTTERY DEVELOPED,

ONCE POTTERY DEVELOPED,
IT BECAME A CRITICAL TOOL

IT BECAME A CRITICAL TOOL
IN LEARNING ABOUT GENERATIONS

IN LEARNING ABOUT GENERATIONS
OF PEOPLE AND HOW

OF PEOPLE AND HOW
THEIR CIVILIZATIONS EVOLVED.

THEIR CIVILIZATIONS EVOLVED.
MOLDED INTO THIS CLAY

MOLDED INTO THIS CLAY
ARE CLUES OF ANOTHER

ARE CLUES OF ANOTHER
PRE-COLUMBIAN VOYAGE TO AMERICA.

PRE-COLUMBIAN VOYAGE TO AMERICA.
ECUADOR, 3044 B.C.,

ECUADOR, 3044 B.C.,
4,536 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

4,536 YEARS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,
STONEHENGE IS RISING

STONEHENGE IS RISING
IN THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE,

IN THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE,
AND THE FIRST WRITING SYSTEM,

AND THE FIRST WRITING SYSTEM,
CALLED CUNEIFORM, WAS RECENTLY

CALLED CUNEIFORM, WAS RECENTLY
INVENTED IN SUMERIA.

INVENTED IN SUMERIA.
IN ECUADOR, THE COASTLINE

IN ECUADOR, THE COASTLINE
CULTURE OF THE VALDIVIANS

CULTURE OF THE VALDIVIANS
IS PRIMITIVE, MADE UP

IS PRIMITIVE, MADE UP
OF HUNTERS AND GATHERERS,

OF HUNTERS AND GATHERERS,
BUT THEY'RE STARTING TO MAKE

BUT THEY'RE STARTING TO MAKE
POTTERY.

POTTERY.
THE QUESTION IS,

THE QUESTION IS,
WHERE DID THEY LEARN

WHERE DID THEY LEARN
THEIR SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES?

THEIR SOPHISTICATED TECHNIQUES?
>> WE BELIEVE THEY WERE

>> WE BELIEVE THEY WERE
A VERY DEVELOPED CULTURE

A VERY DEVELOPED CULTURE
BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED SOME

BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED SOME
INFLUENCE FROM MORE ADVANCED

INFLUENCE FROM MORE ADVANCED
CULTURE, AS MY GRANDFATHER SAID,

CULTURE, AS MY GRANDFATHER SAID,
PERHAPS THE JOMON CULTURE

PERHAPS THE JOMON CULTURE
FROM JAPAN.

FROM JAPAN.
>> narrator: EMILIO ESTRADA

>> narrator: EMILIO ESTRADA
WAS ALEXIA MOLINA'S GRANDFATHER,

WAS ALEXIA MOLINA'S GRANDFATHER,
A LOCAL MAN WHO COLLECTED

A LOCAL MAN WHO COLLECTED
FRAGMENTS OF POTTERY DURING

FRAGMENTS OF POTTERY DURING
HUNTING TRIPS IN VALDIVIA.

HUNTING TRIPS IN VALDIVIA.
>> BIT BY BIT, HE BECAME VERY

>> BIT BY BIT, HE BECAME VERY
INTERESTED IN WHAT THE MEANING

INTERESTED IN WHAT THE MEANING
OF THESE PIECES WAS.

OF THESE PIECES WAS.
>> narrator: AFTER NOTICING

>> narrator: AFTER NOTICING
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE SHARDS

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE SHARDS
HE FOUND AND JAPANESE

HE FOUND AND JAPANESE
JOMON POTTERY CIRCA 4,000 B.C.

JOMON POTTERY CIRCA 4,000 B.C.
HE SAW IN BOOKS,

HE SAW IN BOOKS,
HE WAS CONVINCED OF

HE WAS CONVINCED OF
A CONNECTION.

A CONNECTION.
BUT BEING NO EXPERT

BUT BEING NO EXPERT
IN ARCHAEOLOGY, HE CONTACTED

IN ARCHAEOLOGY, HE CONTACTED
THE SMITHSONIAN.

THE SMITHSONIAN.
>> HE WROTE US A LETTER

>> HE WROTE US A LETTER
AND SAID, YOU KNOW,

AND SAID, YOU KNOW,
"I JUST SAW SOME PICTURES

"I JUST SAW SOME PICTURES
OF POTTERY, JOMON,

OF POTTERY, JOMON,
THAT LOOKS LIKE VALDIVIA.

THAT LOOKS LIKE VALDIVIA.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?"

WHAT DO YOU THINK?"
>> narrator: IT WAS THE

>> narrator: IT WAS THE
BEGINNING OF A FRIENDSHIP

BEGINNING OF A FRIENDSHIP
AND OF WHAT WOULD BECOME

AND OF WHAT WOULD BECOME
A 50-YEAR PUSH TO PROVE

A 50-YEAR PUSH TO PROVE
THAT THE JAPANESE MADE IT

THAT THE JAPANESE MADE IT
TO AMERICA SOME 4,500 YEARS

TO AMERICA SOME 4,500 YEARS
BEFORE COLUMBUS.

BEFORE COLUMBUS.
>> WE TOOK A BIG STACK OF

>> WE TOOK A BIG STACK OF
VALDIVIA POTTERY, AND WE WENT

VALDIVIA POTTERY, AND WE WENT
FROM TOKYO ALL THE WAY DOWN

FROM TOKYO ALL THE WAY DOWN
BY TRAIN AND STOPPED EVERYWHERE

BY TRAIN AND STOPPED EVERYWHERE
WHERE THERE WAS A MUSEUM

WHERE THERE WAS A MUSEUM
OR COLLECTION.

OR COLLECTION.
AND WHEN WE GOT TO KYUSHU,

AND WHEN WE GOT TO KYUSHU,
WE STARTED SEEING ALL KINDS

WE STARTED SEEING ALL KINDS
OF THINGS THAT LOOKED JUST LIKE

OF THINGS THAT LOOKED JUST LIKE
VALDIVIA.

VALDIVIA.
>> [speaking Japanese]

>> [speaking Japanese]
>> WHAT DISTINGUISHES KYUSHU'S

>> WHAT DISTINGUISHES KYUSHU'S
POTTERY FROM OTHERS IS THE FACT

POTTERY FROM OTHERS IS THE FACT
THAT THE DESIGN IS NOT

THAT THE DESIGN IS NOT
FLAMBOYANT AND THAT THEY FOCUS

FLAMBOYANT AND THAT THEY FOCUS
ON PATTERNS MADE FROM LINES.

ON PATTERNS MADE FROM LINES.
>> narrator: KYUSHU IS THE

>> narrator: KYUSHU IS THE
THIRD LARGEST ISLAND IN JAPAN

THIRD LARGEST ISLAND IN JAPAN
AND FORMS THE SOUTHERN TIP

AND FORMS THE SOUTHERN TIP
OF THE COUNTRY.

OF THE COUNTRY.
DR. MEGGERS AND ESTRADA SET OUT

DR. MEGGERS AND ESTRADA SET OUT
TO FIND OUT HOW THE POTTERY

TO FIND OUT HOW THE POTTERY
FROM KYUSHU COULD POSSIBLY

FROM KYUSHU COULD POSSIBLY
BE CONNECTED TO POTTERY

BE CONNECTED TO POTTERY
IN VALDIVIA, SOME 8,000

IN VALDIVIA, SOME 8,000
NAUTICAL MILES AWAY.

NAUTICAL MILES AWAY.
THEIR FINDINGS WERE EXPLOSIVE.

THEIR FINDINGS WERE EXPLOSIVE.
[roaring and rumbling]

[roaring and rumbling]
6,300 YEARS AGO, THE KIKAI

6,300 YEARS AGO, THE KIKAI
VOLCANO IN SOUTHERN JAPAN

VOLCANO IN SOUTHERN JAPAN
ERUPTED WITH GREATER FORCE

ERUPTED WITH GREATER FORCE
THAN THAT OF LEGENDARY KRAKATOA

THAN THAT OF LEGENDARY KRAKATOA
IN THE 1880s.

IN THE 1880s.
KYUSHU WAS COATED IN MORE THAN

KYUSHU WAS COATED IN MORE THAN
A FOOT OF ASH, AS PUMICE RAINED

A FOOT OF ASH, AS PUMICE RAINED
ALL ACROSS THE REGION.

ALL ACROSS THE REGION.
>> PEOPLE WOULD HAVE JUMPED

>> PEOPLE WOULD HAVE JUMPED
IN THEIR CANOES.

IN THEIR CANOES.
WE KNOW THEY DID DEEP-SEA

WE KNOW THEY DID DEEP-SEA
FISHING.

FISHING.
THEY COULD CATCH RAINWATER,

THEY COULD CATCH RAINWATER,
AND THEY COULD CATCH FISH,

AND THEY COULD CATCH FISH,
AND THEY COULD SURVIVE.

AND THEY COULD SURVIVE.
>> narrator: BUT COULD THEY HAVE

>> narrator: BUT COULD THEY HAVE
MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO

MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO
THE COAST OF ECUADOR

THE COAST OF ECUADOR
IN BOATS LIKE THIS?

IN BOATS LIKE THIS?
A TRADITIONAL JOMON FISHING BOAT

A TRADITIONAL JOMON FISHING BOAT
WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SIMPLE,

WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SIMPLE,
SOME 20 FEET LONG

SOME 20 FEET LONG
AND JUST 2 FEET WIDE,

AND JUST 2 FEET WIDE,
WITH ONLY OARS, NOT EVEN A SAIL

WITH ONLY OARS, NOT EVEN A SAIL
TO GET THEM WHERE

TO GET THEM WHERE
THEY WERE GOING.

THEY WERE GOING.
>> [speaking Japanese]

>> [speaking Japanese]
>> THEY WOULD CARVE THESE BOATS

>> THEY WOULD CARVE THESE BOATS
OUT OF LOGS.

OUT OF LOGS.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW MANY

IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY HOW MANY
PEOPLE WOULD FIT INSIDE

PEOPLE WOULD FIT INSIDE
THE BOAT.

THE BOAT.
IT WOULD ALL DEPEND

IT WOULD ALL DEPEND
ON THE SIZE OF THE LOG.

>> EVEN THOUGH TRAVELING
IN A SMALL TREE BOAT WAS A RISK,

IN A SMALL TREE BOAT WAS A RISK,
TO THIS CULTURE, SEAFARING

TO THIS CULTURE, SEAFARING
WAS A PART OF THEIR LIVES.

>> IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT
WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME,

WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME,
BY HOPSCOTCHING FROM ISLAND

BY HOPSCOTCHING FROM ISLAND
TO ISLAND, WORKING THEIR WAY

TO ISLAND, WORKING THEIR WAY
DOWN THE COAST, THEY COULD

DOWN THE COAST, THEY COULD
HAVE REACHED CENTRAL

HAVE REACHED CENTRAL
OR SOUTH AMERICA.

OR SOUTH AMERICA.
>> narrator: THE KUROSHIO

>> narrator: THE KUROSHIO
CURRENT WOULD HAVE PROPELLED

CURRENT WOULD HAVE PROPELLED
THE FISHERMEN EASTWARD

THE FISHERMEN EASTWARD
AND NORTHWARD, SO THEY WOULDN'T

AND NORTHWARD, SO THEY WOULDN'T
HAVE HAD TO TRAVEL 8,000 MILES

HAVE HAD TO TRAVEL 8,000 MILES
OF OPEN SEA.

OF OPEN SEA.
>> LITTLE EFFORT WOULD BE

>> LITTLE EFFORT WOULD BE
REQUIRED TO CROSS FROM

REQUIRED TO CROSS FROM
SUBTROPICAL GYRE

SUBTROPICAL GYRE
INTO SUBPOLAR GYRE,

INTO SUBPOLAR GYRE,
AND THEN STRONG EASTERN BOUNDARY

AND THEN STRONG EASTERN BOUNDARY
CURRENT WOULD LEAD DIRECTLY

CURRENT WOULD LEAD DIRECTLY
TO ALASKA.

TO ALASKA.
>> narrator: FROM ALASKA,

>> narrator: FROM ALASKA,
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN
A RELATIVELY EASY JOURNEY

A RELATIVELY EASY JOURNEY
ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COAST,

ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COAST,
ALONG THE EDGE OF CENTRAL

ALONG THE EDGE OF CENTRAL
AMERICA, AND ON TO ECUADOR.

AMERICA, AND ON TO ECUADOR.
>> OBVIOUSLY THEY MADE

>> OBVIOUSLY THEY MADE
A LANDFALL ON VALDIVIA, AND THEY

A LANDFALL ON VALDIVIA, AND THEY
FOUND PEOPLE LIVING ESSENTIALLY

FOUND PEOPLE LIVING ESSENTIALLY
THE WAY THEY WERE IN JAPAN,

THE WAY THEY WERE IN JAPAN,
BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE POTTERY.

BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE POTTERY.
>> narrator: DR. MEGGERS

>> narrator: DR. MEGGERS
IS CONVINCED THE JAPANESE

IS CONVINCED THE JAPANESE
INTRODUCED IT TO THEM

INTRODUCED IT TO THEM
AND TOGETHER WITH ESTRADA,

AND TOGETHER WITH ESTRADA,
FOUND 26 SIMILARITIES IN

FOUND 26 SIMILARITIES IN
TECHNIQUE AND MOTIF ON POTTERY

TECHNIQUE AND MOTIF ON POTTERY
FROM JAPAN AND VALDIVIA.

FROM JAPAN AND VALDIVIA.
THEY INCLUDE DOG BONE SHAPES

THEY INCLUDE DOG BONE SHAPES
AND HOURGLASS FIGURES,

AND HOURGLASS FIGURES,
WHICH BETTY SAYS AREN'T FOUND

WHICH BETTY SAYS AREN'T FOUND
ANYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT ON

ANYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT ON
JOMON AND VALDIVIAN POTTERY.

JOMON AND VALDIVIAN POTTERY.
>> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET

>> YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET
INDEPENDENT INVENTION OF ALL

INDEPENDENT INVENTION OF ALL
OF THESE COMPLICATED TECHNIQUES

OF THESE COMPLICATED TECHNIQUES
AND MOTIFS.

AND MOTIFS.
>> narrator: BUT CRITICS

>> narrator: BUT CRITICS
DISAGREE.

DISAGREE.
THEY THINK THE VALDIVIANS

THEY THINK THE VALDIVIANS
COULD HAVE COME UP WITH THEIR

COULD HAVE COME UP WITH THEIR
POTTERY DESIGNS ON THEIR OWN.

POTTERY DESIGNS ON THEIR OWN.
IT TURNS OUT, HOWEVER,

IT TURNS OUT, HOWEVER,
POTTERY ISN'T THE ONLY THING

POTTERY ISN'T THE ONLY THING
TO SUGGEST THE JAPANESE MADE IT

TO SUGGEST THE JAPANESE MADE IT
TO SOUTH AMERICA

TO SOUTH AMERICA
IN ANCIENT TIMES.

IN ANCIENT TIMES.
THERE'S ALSO EVIDENCE

THERE'S ALSO EVIDENCE
THEY INTRODUCED A DEADLY VIRUS.

THEY INTRODUCED A DEADLY VIRUS.
>> THIS VIRUS IS VERY, VERY

>> THIS VIRUS IS VERY, VERY
INTERESTING BECAUSE OF THE

INTERESTING BECAUSE OF THE
VERY UNIQUE GEOGRAPHICAL

VERY UNIQUE GEOGRAPHICAL
DISTRIBUTION.

DISTRIBUTION.
>> narrator: THE VIRUS IS

>> narrator: THE VIRUS IS
THE HUMAN "T" CELL LYMPHOTROPIC

THE HUMAN "T" CELL LYMPHOTROPIC
VIRUS TYPE I, CALLED HTLV-1.

VIRUS TYPE I, CALLED HTLV-1.
IT'S RARE, AND IT CAUSES

IT'S RARE, AND IT CAUSES
LEUKEMIA.

LEUKEMIA.
HTLV-1 IS ONLY FOUND IN

HTLV-1 IS ONLY FOUND IN
A SMALL NUMBER OF MODERN-DAY

A SMALL NUMBER OF MODERN-DAY
PEOPLE FROM SOUTHERN JAPAN

PEOPLE FROM SOUTHERN JAPAN
AND MUMMIFIED PEOPLE IN

AND MUMMIFIED PEOPLE IN
SOUTH AMERICA'S ATACAMA DESERT.

SOUTH AMERICA'S ATACAMA DESERT.
AT THE BASE OF THE ANDES,

AT THE BASE OF THE ANDES,
THIS DESERT IS THE DRIEST PLACE

THIS DESERT IS THE DRIEST PLACE
ON EARTH.

ON EARTH.
LAND PARCHED AND CRACKED,

LAND PARCHED AND CRACKED,
IT LOOKS LIKE A LUNAR LANDSCAPE.

IT LOOKS LIKE A LUNAR LANDSCAPE.
BECAUSE OF THE CLIMATE,

BECAUSE OF THE CLIMATE,
MUMMIES LIKE THESE WERE

MUMMIES LIKE THESE WERE
STRIKINGLY PRESERVED.

STRIKINGLY PRESERVED.
>> BUT ANDES PEOPLE ARE SIMILAR

>> BUT ANDES PEOPLE ARE SIMILAR
TO JAPANESE, ESPECIALLY

TO JAPANESE, ESPECIALLY
SOUTHWESTERN JAPAN.

SOUTHWESTERN JAPAN.
SO NOT ONLY TYPE OF THE VIRUS

SO NOT ONLY TYPE OF THE VIRUS
BUT ALSO A GENETIC BACKGROUND

BUT ALSO A GENETIC BACKGROUND
SIMILAR TO JAPANESE.

SIMILAR TO JAPANESE.
>> narrator: THOSE

>> narrator: THOSE
ANTHROPOLOGICAL SIMILARITIES

ANTHROPOLOGICAL SIMILARITIES
ARE WHAT LED HIM TO THE MUMMIES

ARE WHAT LED HIM TO THE MUMMIES
HERE, IN SEARCH OF MORE ANSWERS

HERE, IN SEARCH OF MORE ANSWERS
ABOUT HTLV-1.

ABOUT HTLV-1.
>> WE COLLECTED DRIED-UP

>> WE COLLECTED DRIED-UP
BONE MARROW FROM THE FEMUR BONE.

BONE MARROW FROM THE FEMUR BONE.
MORE THAN 100 SAMPLES

MORE THAN 100 SAMPLES
WE COLLECTED.

WE COLLECTED.
>> narrator: FROM THAT

>> narrator: FROM THAT
BONE MARROW, HE WAS ABLE

BONE MARROW, HE WAS ABLE
TO COLLECT DNA.

TO COLLECT DNA.
HE FOUND HTLV-1 THAT LIKELY

HE FOUND HTLV-1 THAT LIKELY
ORIGINATED IN ASIA WAS PRESENT

ORIGINATED IN ASIA WAS PRESENT
IN SOUTH AMERICA IN ANCIENT

IN SOUTH AMERICA IN ANCIENT
TIMES, AND IT HAD TO HAVE

TIMES, AND IT HAD TO HAVE
GOTTEN THERE FROM CONTACT

GOTTEN THERE FROM CONTACT
WITH PEOPLE WHO ALREADY CARRIED

WITH PEOPLE WHO ALREADY CARRIED
THE VIRUS.

THE VIRUS.
>> THIS VIRUS IS TRANSMISSIBLE

>> THIS VIRUS IS TRANSMISSIBLE
THROUGH BREAST MILK,

THROUGH BREAST MILK,
FROM MOTHER,

FROM MOTHER,
AND ALSO FROM HUSBAND TO WIFE

AND ALSO FROM HUSBAND TO WIFE
THROUGH SEMEN.

THROUGH SEMEN.
SO THAT'S A VERY HARD EVIDENCE

SO THAT'S A VERY HARD EVIDENCE
THAT I BELIEVE.

THAT I BELIEVE.
>> THESE ARE THE THINGS YOU HAVE

>> THESE ARE THE THINGS YOU HAVE
TO KNOW ABOUT IN ORDER TO SAY

TO KNOW ABOUT IN ORDER TO SAY
THIS IS REALLY A CONTACT

THIS IS REALLY A CONTACT
AND NOT JUST AN ACCIDENTAL

AND NOT JUST AN ACCIDENTAL
SIMILARITY.

SIMILARITY.
>> narrator: DR. MEGGERS

>> narrator: DR. MEGGERS
IS STILL WORKING TO PROVE

IS STILL WORKING TO PROVE
TO MAINSTREAM ACADEMICS THAT

TO MAINSTREAM ACADEMICS THAT
THERE WAS ANCIENT JAPANESE

THERE WAS ANCIENT JAPANESE
CONTACT WITH THE VALDIVIANS.

CONTACT WITH THE VALDIVIANS.
THE LOCALS IN VALDIVIA NEED LESS

THE LOCALS IN VALDIVIA NEED LESS
CONVINCING.

CONVINCING.
>> THE VALDIVIAN PEOPLE

>> THE VALDIVIAN PEOPLE
REALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT

REALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT
ARE THEIR ORIGINS.

ARE THEIR ORIGINS.
WHAT WE CAN SEE IF WE GO

WHAT WE CAN SEE IF WE GO
OUTSIDE, WE'LL SEE THAT THEY

OUTSIDE, WE'LL SEE THAT THEY
HAVE A LOT OF ASIAN

HAVE A LOT OF ASIAN
CHARACTERISTICS ON THEIR FACES,

CHARACTERISTICS ON THEIR FACES,
AND THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM

AND THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM
THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.
>> narrator: AND IN THAT

>> narrator: AND IN THAT
LIES THE KEY TO ULTIMATELY

LIES THE KEY TO ULTIMATELY
DETERMINING WHICH OF ALL THESE

DETERMINING WHICH OF ALL THESE
VOYAGES REALLY HAPPENED.

VOYAGES REALLY HAPPENED.
IT'S NOT WHO HOLDS THE KEY

IT'S NOT WHO HOLDS THE KEY
BUT WHO IS THE KEY.

BUT WHO IS THE KEY.
>> SO IN EFFECT

>> SO IN EFFECT
WITHIN OURSELVES,

WITHIN OURSELVES,
WE HAVE AN ENTIRE ENCYCLOPEDIA.

WE HAVE AN ENTIRE ENCYCLOPEDIA.
>> narrator: NOW DNA BECOMES

>> narrator: NOW DNA BECOMES
INVALUABLE AS ONE THEORY OF

INVALUABLE AS ONE THEORY OF
PRE-COLUMBIAN CONTACT

PRE-COLUMBIAN CONTACT
HAS THE CHANCE TO BE PROVEN

HAS THE CHANCE TO BE PROVEN
WITH THE ULTIMATE TEST

WITH THE ULTIMATE TEST
BORN OF BONE AND BLOOD.

>> narrator: WHO REALLY
DISCOVERED AMERICA?

DISCOVERED AMERICA?
PERHAPS A LOT OF PEOPLE.

PERHAPS A LOT OF PEOPLE.
CERTAINLY THE NATIVE AMERICANS

CERTAINLY THE NATIVE AMERICANS
WERE HERE BEFORE COLUMBUS,

WERE HERE BEFORE COLUMBUS,
THE VIKINGS TOO.

THE VIKINGS TOO.
BUT WHO ELSE?

BUT WHO ELSE?
THERE ARE EVEN MORE STORIES

THERE ARE EVEN MORE STORIES
OF PRE-COLUMBIAN VOYAGES TO

OF PRE-COLUMBIAN VOYAGES TO
AMERICA AND BACK THAN THE ONES

AMERICA AND BACK THAN THE ONES
SHOWN ON THIS MAP.

SHOWN ON THIS MAP.
THEY'RE OFTEN THE ONLY WAY

THEY'RE OFTEN THE ONLY WAY
TO EXPLAIN THINGS LIKE COCAINE

TO EXPLAIN THINGS LIKE COCAINE
AND NICOTINE,

AND NICOTINE,
NEW WORLD SUBSTANCES,

NEW WORLD SUBSTANCES,
FOUND IN EGYPTIAN MUMMIES

FOUND IN EGYPTIAN MUMMIES
FROM 1000 A.D.,

FROM 1000 A.D.,
THE ONLY WAY TO EXPLAIN COPPER

THE ONLY WAY TO EXPLAIN COPPER
OF A PURITY ONLY FOUND IN

OF A PURITY ONLY FOUND IN
LAKE SUPERIOR BEING USED IN

LAKE SUPERIOR BEING USED IN
MEDITERRANEAN BOATS AROUND

MEDITERRANEAN BOATS AROUND
1400 B.C.

1400 B.C.
FROM THE CHINESE IN 1421

FROM THE CHINESE IN 1421
ALL THE WAY BACK TO

ALL THE WAY BACK TO
THE SOLUTREANS IN 22,000 B.C.,

THE SOLUTREANS IN 22,000 B.C.,
THERE IS AN ALTERNATE TIME LINE

THERE IS AN ALTERNATE TIME LINE
OF HISTORY THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE

OF HISTORY THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE
TO IGNORE.

TO IGNORE.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO START

>> I THINK WE NEED TO START
LOOKING AT HISTORY FROM SOME

LOOKING AT HISTORY FROM SOME
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES.
WE NEED TO TAKE THE GLASSES OFF

WE NEED TO TAKE THE GLASSES OFF
THAT SAY WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT

THAT SAY WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT
THIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF

THIS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF
COLUMBUS AND HIS SHIPS.

COLUMBUS AND HIS SHIPS.
>> I THINK WE NEED TO BE

>> I THINK WE NEED TO BE
OPEN-MINDED BECAUSE WE'RE

OPEN-MINDED BECAUSE WE'RE
CONSTANTLY HAVING NEW DATA

CONSTANTLY HAVING NEW DATA
COMING IN THAT CAN ALLOW US

COMING IN THAT CAN ALLOW US
TO CHANGE OUR THEORIES

TO CHANGE OUR THEORIES
AND OUR INTERPRETATIONS,

AND OUR INTERPRETATIONS,
EVEN IN CASES WHERE

EVEN IN CASES WHERE
THINGS MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED

THINGS MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED
IN THE PAST THAT WE WOULDN'T

IN THE PAST THAT WE WOULDN'T
HAVE IMAGINED.

HAVE IMAGINED.
>> narrator: THE ADVENT OF

>> narrator: THE ADVENT OF
DNA TESTING IS ONE THING THAT

DNA TESTING IS ONE THING THAT
HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO EITHER

HAS OPENED THE DOOR TO EITHER
PUTTING TO REST OR PROMOTING

PUTTING TO REST OR PROMOTING
NOTIONS OF NEW WORLD VOYAGES.

NOTIONS OF NEW WORLD VOYAGES.
>> DNA TESTING CAN PRETTY

>> DNA TESTING CAN PRETTY
CLEARLY GIVE US AN IDEA

CLEARLY GIVE US AN IDEA
AS TO THE PEOPLES THAT WERE

AS TO THE PEOPLES THAT WERE
IN THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS.

IN THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS.
>> narrator: NOW THE SEARCH IS

>> narrator: NOW THE SEARCH IS
ON FOR DNA EVIDENCE TO

ON FOR DNA EVIDENCE TO
DEFINITIVELY PROVE ONE GROUP

DEFINITIVELY PROVE ONE GROUP
DID MAKE IT OVER.

2010, CHILE,
518 YEARS AFTER COLUMBUS.

518 YEARS AFTER COLUMBUS.
ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,

ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD,
BARACK OBAMA IS THE FIRST

BARACK OBAMA IS THE FIRST
AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF

AFRICAN-AMERICAN PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES, AND A SERIES

THE UNITED STATES, AND A SERIES
OF EARTHQUAKES ROCK HAITI,

OF EARTHQUAKES ROCK HAITI,
JAPAN, AND TURKEY.

JAPAN, AND TURKEY.
IN CHILE, THERE'S A DEVASTATING

IN CHILE, THERE'S A DEVASTATING
EARTHQUAKE TOO, BUT ONLY MINIMAL

EARTHQUAKE TOO, BUT ONLY MINIMAL
DAMAGE IS SUSTAINED ON THIS

DAMAGE IS SUSTAINED ON THIS
VERY IMPORTANT ISLAND OFF

VERY IMPORTANT ISLAND OFF
THE COUNTRY'S SOUTHERN COAST

THE COUNTRY'S SOUTHERN COAST
WHERE ARCHAEOLOGIST

WHERE ARCHAEOLOGIST
JOSE MIGUEL RAMIREZ IS HEADING.

JOSE MIGUEL RAMIREZ IS HEADING.
>> I THINK IT WAS OTHER PEOPLE

>> I THINK IT WAS OTHER PEOPLE
WHO CAME BEFORE COLUMBUS.

WHO CAME BEFORE COLUMBUS.
WE KNOW IT WAS POLYNESIAN.

WE KNOW IT WAS POLYNESIAN.
THEY WERE MOVING EASTWARD.

THEY WERE MOVING EASTWARD.
AND THE ONLY POSSIBLE END

AND THE ONLY POSSIBLE END
FOR THIS EXPLORATION WAS

FOR THIS EXPLORATION WAS
THE SOUTH AMERICAN COASTLINE.

THIS IS MOCHA ISLAND.
IT SEEMS A VERY GOOD LOCATION

IT SEEMS A VERY GOOD LOCATION
FOR ANY POLYNESIAN COMING FROM

FOR ANY POLYNESIAN COMING FROM
CENTRAL POLYNESIA.

CENTRAL POLYNESIA.
WE ARE GOING TO THE SITE WHERE

WE ARE GOING TO THE SITE WHERE
WE FOUND THE FIRST EVIDENCE

WE FOUND THE FIRST EVIDENCE
WITH HUMAN BONES WITH

WITH HUMAN BONES WITH
POLYNESIAN TRAITS.

POLYNESIAN TRAITS.
>> narrator: BETWEEN 1992

>> narrator: BETWEEN 1992
AND 2003, EXCAVATIONS ON

AND 2003, EXCAVATIONS ON
MOCHA ISLAND BY A TEAM OF

MOCHA ISLAND BY A TEAM OF
ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTHED

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTHED
COMPLETE SKULLS, FEMURS,

COMPLETE SKULLS, FEMURS,
AND OTHER BONES THAT DATE BACK

AND OTHER BONES THAT DATE BACK
TO 1000 TO 1300 A.D.,

TO 1000 TO 1300 A.D.,
BASED ON CHARACTERISTICS OF

BASED ON CHARACTERISTICS OF
CERAMICS FOUND WITH THEM.

CERAMICS FOUND WITH THEM.
THE BONES WERE ANALYZED

THE BONES WERE ANALYZED
IN DETAIL IN 2008.

IN DETAIL IN 2008.
THREE OF THE SKULLS APPEARED

THREE OF THE SKULLS APPEARED
TO HAVE POLYNESIAN FEATURES.

TO HAVE POLYNESIAN FEATURES.
>> BONES TELL US A LOT

>> BONES TELL US A LOT
ABOUT PEOPLE.

ABOUT PEOPLE.
THE FIRST EVIDENCE FOR ANY

THE FIRST EVIDENCE FOR ANY
POLYNESIAN IS THE SHAPE

POLYNESIAN IS THE SHAPE
OF THE SKULL.

OF THE SKULL.
IF YOU LOOK AT THEM FROM

IF YOU LOOK AT THEM FROM
BEHIND, THEY ARE PENTAGONAL

BEHIND, THEY ARE PENTAGONAL
IN SHAPE, AND THERE IS OTHER

IN SHAPE, AND THERE IS OTHER
TRAITS LIKE THE ROCKER JAW.

TRAITS LIKE THE ROCKER JAW.
THAT'S A VERY CLASSIC

THAT'S A VERY CLASSIC
NOT-AMERICAN TRAIT.

NOT-AMERICAN TRAIT.
>> narrator: A ROCKER JAW IS

>> narrator: A ROCKER JAW IS
TERMED THAT BECAUSE WHEN PLACED

TERMED THAT BECAUSE WHEN PLACED
ON A TABLE, A CONTINUOUS CURVE

ON A TABLE, A CONTINUOUS CURVE
ALLOWS IT TO ROCK BACK

ALLOWS IT TO ROCK BACK
AND FORTH.

AND FORTH.
THE JAWBONE OF SOMEONE OF

THE JAWBONE OF SOMEONE OF
ASIAN OR EUROPEAN DESCENT

ASIAN OR EUROPEAN DESCENT
WOULD NOT DO THAT.

WOULD NOT DO THAT.
ALSO IMPORTANT,

ALSO IMPORTANT,
ONE OF THE SKULLS WAS VERY

ONE OF THE SKULLS WAS VERY
SIMILAR TO A SKULL FROM

SIMILAR TO A SKULL FROM
THE CHANNEL ISLANDS OFF THE

THE CHANNEL ISLANDS OFF THE
COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA,

COAST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA,
ISLANDS INHABITED BY

ISLANDS INHABITED BY
THE CHUMASH PEOPLE AND WHERE

THE CHUMASH PEOPLE AND WHERE
A POLYNESIAN CONNECTION WAS

A POLYNESIAN CONNECTION WAS
ALREADY BEING INVESTIGATED.

ALREADY BEING INVESTIGATED.
>> THE TRAITS THAT WE SEE AMONG

>> THE TRAITS THAT WE SEE AMONG
THE CHUMASH THAT MAY HAVE

THE CHUMASH THAT MAY HAVE
ORIGINATED FROM CONTACT WITH

ORIGINATED FROM CONTACT WITH
POLYNESIA: THE SEWN-PLANK BOAT,

POLYNESIA: THE SEWN-PLANK BOAT,
AND THEN THERE'S ALSO A STYLE

AND THEN THERE'S ALSO A STYLE
OF COMPOUND FISHHOOK.

OF COMPOUND FISHHOOK.
>> FISHHOOKS AND THE LINGUISTIC

>> FISHHOOKS AND THE LINGUISTIC
EVIDENCE TOGETHER, THAT IS

EVIDENCE TOGETHER, THAT IS
A VERY, VERY STRONG CASE.

A VERY, VERY STRONG CASE.
IF IT WAS JUST ONE OR THE OTHER,

IF IT WAS JUST ONE OR THE OTHER,
IT WOULDN'T BE AS STRONG.

IT WOULDN'T BE AS STRONG.
>> narrator: WITHIN THE CHUMASH

>> narrator: WITHIN THE CHUMASH
TRIBE, DNA TESTING IS ALREADY

TRIBE, DNA TESTING IS ALREADY
GOING ON TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN

GOING ON TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN
OF ITS PEOPLE.

OF ITS PEOPLE.
>> WE CAN SEE THROUGH THE STUDY

>> WE CAN SEE THROUGH THE STUDY
OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA THAT

OF MITOCHONDRIAL DNA THAT
CHUMASH INDIANS HAD DIFFERENT

CHUMASH INDIANS HAD DIFFERENT
POPULATION ORIGINS THAN

POPULATION ORIGINS THAN
THE PEOPLE LIVING TO THE SOUTH

THE PEOPLE LIVING TO THE SOUTH
OF THE CHUMASH, THE GABRIELINO

OF THE CHUMASH, THE GABRIELINO
INDIANS.

INDIANS.
THE CHUMASH ARE ALSO DIFFERENT

THE CHUMASH ARE ALSO DIFFERENT
THAN THE PEOPLE LIVING INLAND

THAN THE PEOPLE LIVING INLAND
FROM THEM IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY

FROM THEM IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY
IN TERMS OF THEIR POPULATION

IN TERMS OF THEIR POPULATION
ORIGINS.

ORIGINS.
>> narrator: THE DNA HAS YET

>> narrator: THE DNA HAS YET
TO PROVE A POLYNESIAN

TO PROVE A POLYNESIAN
CONNECTION.

CONNECTION.
>> THERE'S A SPECIFIC MARKER IN

>> THERE'S A SPECIFIC MARKER IN
MITOCHONDRIAL DNA FOUND

MITOCHONDRIAL DNA FOUND
AMONG POLYNESIANS THAT SET THEM

AMONG POLYNESIANS THAT SET THEM
APART FROM THE REST OF

APART FROM THE REST OF
THE WORLD.

THE WORLD.
>> narrator: THAT MARKER IS WHAT

>> narrator: THAT MARKER IS WHAT
RESEARCHERS HERE ARE HOPING

RESEARCHERS HERE ARE HOPING
TO FIND IN NEW BONES

TO FIND IN NEW BONES
COLLECTED FROM MOCHA ISLAND.

COLLECTED FROM MOCHA ISLAND.
WHILE BONES FOUND IN THE '90s

WHILE BONES FOUND IN THE '90s
HAD POLYNESIAN TRAITS,

HAD POLYNESIAN TRAITS,
DNA TESTING OF THEM COULDN'T

DNA TESTING OF THEM COULDN'T
BE COMPLETED BECAUSE SCIENTISTS

BE COMPLETED BECAUSE SCIENTISTS
COULDN'T GET USABLE SAMPLES.

COULDN'T GET USABLE SAMPLES.
>> WE NEED TO DIG FOR MORE

>> WE NEED TO DIG FOR MORE
FRESH BONES.

FRESH BONES.
THAT'S THE MAIN PURPOSE,

THAT'S THE MAIN PURPOSE,
THE NEXT STEP IN THIS RESEARCH.

THE NEXT STEP IN THIS RESEARCH.
THIS LITTLE PLACE, THIS LITTLE

THIS LITTLE PLACE, THIS LITTLE
MOUND HERE IS THE PLACE WHERE

MOUND HERE IS THE PLACE WHERE
THEY SETTLED DOWN ABOUT

THEY SETTLED DOWN ABOUT
1,000 YEARS AGO.

1,000 YEARS AGO.
90% OF THE SITE IS STILL HERE,

90% OF THE SITE IS STILL HERE,
NOT DISCOVERED, SO THERE'S MANY,

NOT DISCOVERED, SO THERE'S MANY,
MANY ARTIFACTS AND DEPOSITS

MANY ARTIFACTS AND DEPOSITS
WITHOUT ANY DISTURBANCE,

WITHOUT ANY DISTURBANCE,
SO THERE'S A LOT OF MATERIAL TO

SO THERE'S A LOT OF MATERIAL TO
DISCOVER, TO FIND MORE HUMAN

DISCOVER, TO FIND MORE HUMAN
BONES, TO TAKE DNA TO PROVE

BONES, TO TAKE DNA TO PROVE
IT'S POLYNESIAN.

IT'S POLYNESIAN.
DNA IS THE FINAL TEST.

DNA IS THE FINAL TEST.
>> narrator: THE STUDY OF

>> narrator: THE STUDY OF
NEW BONES IS EXPECTED TO GET

NEW BONES IS EXPECTED TO GET
UNDER WAY BY THE END OF 2010.

UNDER WAY BY THE END OF 2010.
RAMIREZ BELIEVES THEIR FINDINGS

RAMIREZ BELIEVES THEIR FINDINGS
WILL ONLY CONFIRM WHAT

WILL ONLY CONFIRM WHAT
HE SAYS A GROWING NUMBER

HE SAYS A GROWING NUMBER
OF SCIENTISTS ALREADY BELIEVE.

OF SCIENTISTS ALREADY BELIEVE.
>> WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT

>> WHEN YOU REALIZE THAT
POLYNESIANS WERE CAPABLE OF

POLYNESIANS WERE CAPABLE OF
DISCOVERING THESE REMOTE SPECKS

DISCOVERING THESE REMOTE SPECKS
OF LAND THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC,

OF LAND THROUGHOUT THE PACIFIC,
HOW IS IT THEY COULD POSSIBLY

HOW IS IT THEY COULD POSSIBLY
MISS THESE BIG ISLANDS

MISS THESE BIG ISLANDS
OF NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA,

OF NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA,
THESE ENORMOUS LANDMASSES?

THESE ENORMOUS LANDMASSES?
>> I BELIEVE THAT POLYNESIANS

>> I BELIEVE THAT POLYNESIANS
MADE IT TO SOUTH AMERICA

MADE IT TO SOUTH AMERICA
SOME TIME BETWEEN THE PERIOD

SOME TIME BETWEEN THE PERIOD
OF A.D. 1000 TO 1200.

OF A.D. 1000 TO 1200.
>> I THINK WE'RE ABSOLUTELY SURE

>> I THINK WE'RE ABSOLUTELY SURE
THAT THE POLYNESIANS MADE IT TO

THAT THE POLYNESIANS MADE IT TO
SOUTH AMERICA BEFORE COLUMBUS.

SOUTH AMERICA BEFORE COLUMBUS.
I MEAN, I THINK THE ODDS OF THAT

I MEAN, I THINK THE ODDS OF THAT
ARE IN THE 99.9999 RANGE.

ARE IN THE 99.9999 RANGE.
IT'S ALMOST FLAT-EARTH LEVEL

IT'S ALMOST FLAT-EARTH LEVEL
TO DISBELIEVE THAT POLYNESIANS

TO DISBELIEVE THAT POLYNESIANS
MADE IT TO SOUTH AMERICA.

MADE IT TO SOUTH AMERICA.
>> THAT'S THE JOB OF

>> THAT'S THE JOB OF
ARCHAEOLOGISTS.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS.
WE NEED TO SPREAD WHAT WE FIND

WE NEED TO SPREAD WHAT WE FIND
MORE WIDELY.

MORE WIDELY.
WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE MORE

WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE MORE
ABOUT WHAT WE'RE FINDING,

ABOUT WHAT WE'RE FINDING,
AND WE NEED TO REWRITE THOSE

AND WE NEED TO REWRITE THOSE
HISTORY BOOKS AND GET IT

HISTORY BOOKS AND GET IT
OUT THERE.

OUT THERE.
LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE

LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE
PROBABLY STILL DON'T EVEN KNOW

PROBABLY STILL DON'T EVEN KNOW
THAT THE VIKINGS GOT HERE BEFORE

THAT THE VIKINGS GOT HERE BEFORE
COLUMBUS.

COLUMBUS.
>> narrator: WHAT MIGHT

>> narrator: WHAT MIGHT
ULTIMATELY PROVE TO BE THE NEXT

ULTIMATELY PROVE TO BE THE NEXT
L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS-LIKE

L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS-LIKE
DISCOVERY COULD BE UNEARTHED

DISCOVERY COULD BE UNEARTHED
AT ANY TIME.

AT ANY TIME.
THERE ARE NO LESS THAN

THERE ARE NO LESS THAN
A DOZEN CULTURES WITH TALES

A DOZEN CULTURES WITH TALES
OF EARLY VOYAGES AT SEA,

OF EARLY VOYAGES AT SEA,
VOYAGES SAID TO HAVE CULMINATED

VOYAGES SAID TO HAVE CULMINATED
IN THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.

IN THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA.
>> THE EXCITEMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY

>> THE EXCITEMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY
IS THAT WE ARE OFTEN SURPRISED

IS THAT WE ARE OFTEN SURPRISED
AND THAT OUR IDEAS CHANGE

AND THAT OUR IDEAS CHANGE
BECAUSE OF NEW THINGS WE LEARN,

BECAUSE OF NEW THINGS WE LEARN,
AND THAT'S GOOD.

AND THAT'S GOOD.
>> THE WORLD'S GREATEST MUSEUM

>> THE WORLD'S GREATEST MUSEUM
IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAS,

IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAS,
WITH SOME ESTIMATED 3 MILLION

WITH SOME ESTIMATED 3 MILLION
OR MORE SHIPWRECKS DOWN THERE,

OR MORE SHIPWRECKS DOWN THERE,
THAT ALL SORTS OF STORIES REMAIN

THAT ALL SORTS OF STORIES REMAIN
TO BE WRITTEN,

TO BE WRITTEN,
THAT NEW CHAPTERS, FORGOTTEN

THAT NEW CHAPTERS, FORGOTTEN
PAGES OF THE HISTORY BOOKS

PAGES OF THE HISTORY BOOKS
WILL BE PUT BACK

WILL BE PUT BACK
THAT TELL US OF OUR TIME

THAT TELL US OF OUR TIME
ON THIS PLANET, THAT SPEAK TO

ON THIS PLANET, THAT SPEAK TO
WHO WE ARE AS A SPECIES

WHO WE ARE AS A SPECIES
AND WHAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF.

AND WHAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF.
>> narrator: ON LAND AND BY SEA,

>> narrator: ON LAND AND BY SEA,
THE EARLIEST EXPLORERS CAME

THE EARLIEST EXPLORERS CAME
TO THE NEW WORLD.

TO THE NEW WORLD.
THE PAST IS LITTERED WITH CLUES

THE PAST IS LITTERED WITH CLUES
AS TO WHO THEY WERE,

AS TO WHO THEY WERE,
WHEN THEY CAME,

WHEN THEY CAME,
AND WHERE THEY WENT.

AND WHERE THEY WENT.
NOW SCIENCE HAS THE ABILITY

NOW SCIENCE HAS THE ABILITY
TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT

TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT
THE TRUE STORY OF AMERICA'S

THE TRUE STORY OF AMERICA'S
EARLIEST PIONEERS.

EARLIEST PIONEERS.
IT MAY ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME

IT MAY ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME
BEFORE THE QUESTION OF

BEFORE THE QUESTION OF
WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA

WHO REALLY DISCOVERED AMERICA
TURNS INTO A QUESTION

TURNS INTO A QUESTION
OF WHO DIDN'T?