The Vinland Map: 15th Century Artifact or 20th Century Forgery?
Throughout history, the discovery of an ancient artifact has always brought with it much excitement. The idea that we are able to look at something that existed so long ago intrigues us. However, along with the excitement of new discoveries, there is often much controversy. One such discovery, the Vinland Map, has been the cause of much debate since 1957.
The Vinland Map, first presented to the public in 1965 in a book written by Skelton, was discovered in 1957 (Skelton 1965, p.3). In the 1960’s the map was bought and donated to Yale University where it remains today. The Vinland Map was originally thought to be a 15 th century depiction of medieval Africa, Asia, and
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The first of these three methods is microscopy, used most notably by Walter C. McCrone. As defined by McCrone, microscopy is “the use of any tool or technique that allows us to identify microscopic objects.” This includes the use of the light microscope as well as more advanced types of microscopes such as the electron microscope and x-ray diffraction (McCrone 1976, p. 676 A). McCrone's methods using microscopy were desirable because they allow observations to be made on small samples so that no visible damage is done to the item being tested. When testing the Vinland Map, McCrone used a small needle with rubber cement on the tip to pick up ink particles. Particles were then observed, first using an optical stereo microscope, and then observed more closely with a series of more advanced microscopic techniques such as the electron microscope and x-ray diffraction (McCrone 1976).
The second method, used by Donahue, Olin, and Harbottle in their testing of the Vinland Map is radiocarbon dating (Donahue, Olin, Harbottle, 2000). Radiocarbon dating is based on the decay of a specific carbon isotope known as 14C. All organisms contain 14C and once an organism dies, scientists are able to measure how much 14C has decayed in an organism. By measuring this rate of decay, scientists are able to date the age of an organism (Higham). Since the Vinland Map is drawn on
In 1493, Columbus wrote a letter on his voyage back to Europe, describing the newfound continent as “many islands inhabited by men without number”. The letter was published throughout Europe, thus spreading the discovery of America quickly. According to the map in document D, the letter originated in Lisbon on March 14, 1493. Within the year, it traveled to eight major cities across Western Europe, published in over five different languages. Without the printing press, the news would have taken years to circulate Europe, as information often did before the invention. Due to the rapid communication of the news, the Waldseemuller’s world map from 1507 included America and other major geographical discoveries. It was “the first known map to record the existence of the American continent”. The Waldseemuller illustrates a diffusion of information because the publication of Columbus’s letter allowed the cartographers to incorporate America on their maps. Thus, the printing press had a major effect on discoveries in the 15th century. The discovery’s publication on the map inspired other aspiring explorers. Ultimately, exploration clearly represents Renaissance worldviews, as Columbus’s discovery is a prime example of its relevance during the era. These major discoveries symbolize the passion for exploration and curiosity many Europeans
| |artifacts and land structures to|time when things were formed and|to test ever artifact found it |
Scientist are able to use modern instruments to accurately date these rocks by measuring radioactive decay. These rocks are approximently 1.7 billion years old, less than half the age of the earth. These black rocks tell scientist not only how old they date back but
In 1996, artifacts that hold clues to early Americans have been found in Suffolk, Virginia, that date to about 18,000 years old! This had sparked the thought, “Who Was Here First, and how did they get here?” Before this, most historians and archaeologists believed in one theory, but this new evidence gave proof for dozens of new theories. There are four major theories: The Beringia Theory, the Solutrean Hypothesis, The Maritime Theory, and the South-Pacific Theory. All of the theories are possible, but only one of them can be true.
Whenever you hear about the European Exploration, or ‘The Age of Discovery’’ you hear a lot about what the Europeans gained from it, while they did learn a lot from this and gather a lot of new resources they were not the only ones affected. The Age of Discovery affected more areas that just Europe, it also affected the Americas and Africa. To prove this we must first know what European Exploration is.
From the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts to the Metropolitan Museum of Arts, this paper will analysis and compare the visual aspects of the Red Figure Volute Krater (330-320 BCE) and the earlier Terracotta Krater (750-735 BCE) about their similarities and differences that extend across time. Along with the two kraters we will also discuss the quality of St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts’ environment.
Over the past hundred years or so, there has been a drastic change in our perception of the Age of Exploration. As our historical knowledge in this era increases, we have begun to look past the biased European perception of this era and get a better understanding of this era. For example, it is now common knowledge that Columbus did not discover America. Rather, we came into contact with peoples who had been there perhaps for millennia. We also now have a better understanding of the motivations behind the European nations’ exploration of this “New World”.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a 230-foot-long enigma. Although the historical events that inspired its creation are well known, there are still many aspects of the tapestry that remain a mystery and a range of theories to explain certain contested phenomena. There is still discrepancy over the basic facts of the tapestry such as where it was made, and who even commissioned it. However, one aspect that has many interpretations are the borders surrounding the main narrative. The borders stretch, uninterrupted, above and below the main scene for almost the whole length of the tapestry. Composed of plants, mammals, birds, and occasional humans, separated with bars and plant images, some see no meaning in the borders, while others argue they are
Problems will occur with all historical documents. When it comes to the Vinland Sagas, one problem that
A debate has been raging for decades about a simple map. This map was told to be an authentic Viking map, but there are many skeptics of the authenticity. In the following essay, I will attempt to prove that this map is a forgery, using evidence from both sides of the argument.
There are two types of dating: relative dating and chronometric. Relative dating places artifacts, features or sites into a sequence determined by analyzing stylistic changes found in different layers of stata. It is of course, relative, which means there is no exact dating. Stratigraphy is a relative dating technique that is most helpful when comparing the age of sites, (to determine which one is older), or artifacts, as the stylistic changes can help conclude which era they belonged to and possibly even which culture. The second type of dating, chronometric, is a bit more specific and can provide exact dates according to a calendar or a range of years for artifacts, features, sites and/or ecofacts.
In the Yale Center for British Art, one can find a beautiful map titled: “The Description of Jarsey a(nn)o 1600.” One trait that stands out with this map compared to others drafted the 16th and early 17th centuries is the exquisite detail depicted in the topographical features. According to a display featured in an exhibition of the map, this is “from the collection of George Legge, first Baron Dartmouth; previously in the English Royal map collection” (Yale Center, From the Collection). One might wonder why a map with such extensive detail would be in the hands of the Royal Collection, and thus why it was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I. According to R. A. Skelton: “it is not difficult to see how, in the course of business, some maps
This method is used to determine the exact age of fossils, artifacts and the earth. This involves, examining several strata of the crust of the earth to show the time intervals of one layer of rock to another layer as well as use the layering principle to confirm the series of cultures.
This changed history forever. While it created controversy, due to some people’s attachments to the old ways of dating and doubts in this revolutionary method, it proved to be the closest method to have an accurate chronology of history. In 1955, to prove the accuracy or radiocarbon, Libby published a graph that showed the comparison of the results of radiocarbon dating of specimens from Egypt. These specimens had already an absolute known date. The graph proved the accuracy of Libby’s radiocarbon dating. Figure 1 (Renfrew, 1973)
By testing sediment and recording whether it was deposited under conditions of normal polarity and then measuring successive layers, we can build a time chart. By matching different charts from different areas with similar fossils, a more global correlation can be made.