The African presence in the Americas is strongly indicated by stone head, terra cottas, skeletons,

inscriptions, oral tradition and documented history, botanical, linguistic and cultural data.

Assess the evidence of Viking and African presence in the Americas before 1492.

Evidence of West African and Nordic presence in the Americas before 1492

They were Norse people from Scandinavia.Scandinavians are people from Denmark,

Norway and Sweden. They left their homes to trade and raid along

shore lines.They had a special ship that had a dragon,

this was said to have driven fear in others.

The Vikings:

The evidence surrounding their presence in the Americas is filled with controversy.

The evidence of their presence range from proven and unproven

A Nordic site was discovered by Anne Ingstad at L’Anseaux Meadows. There were buildings that were similar to the Norse Style.

A stone was found at the site, after examination it was proven to be a fake.

Evidence

The inscription could not be traced.Research……….Who was Eric the Red?What were the Vineland Saga ?When did the Norse people arrive?When did they start colonization?

Africans also set out on ships to tradeThey ended up in the AmericasThey were ship wrecked and they ended up

living with native peopleEvidence of their presence was supported by

Columbus in his writingsColumbus wrote that Haitians told him that

black skinned people came in boats , trading metals spears. Evidence of these spears were tested and proven to be identical to those in Guinea Africa.

Africans in the Americas

Vasco Nunez in 1513, while coming down what is now Panama saw 2 black men who were captured by the Native Indians.

PHYSICAL EVIDENCEIn 1970 skeleton remains were found in the

Virgin Islands. These remains were examined by the Smithsonian institute.

They were morphologically African.In 1962 in Tres Zapates, a stone head that

looked African was discovered.

It was believed to be African because it had 7 braids something that was not seen in the Americas.

It had African features, broad nose and full lips and was covered with an helmet.

CONTROVERSYSome scientist believed it was made by

Native Amerindians but because blunt objects were used it caused the nose to and lips to be thick.

They also said it was a native chiled because it has a pucked nose and the features of a Jaguar.

Another Stone head was found at San Lorenzo.

It resembled a Colossal Stone head that are still being made in Africa today.

The native people bore similarities with Egyptians.

They practiced mummification and the plucking out of the heart. This was only seen in Egypt.

There was the discovery of a ceremonial platform at La Venta, which had a colonial step pyramid which was unique to Egypt.

portraits of African governors were found.

Evidences contd…..

The use of purple as a sign of royalty was seen. Purple was also use for royalty in Egypt.

The use of double crown presence in Egypt was found being used the kings of the Olmec people.

Source: They came before Columbus by Ivan Van Sertima.

Prepared by Miss. K. Smith