Who Really Discovered America?

Today we will be viewing parts of the documentary, "Who Really Discovered America?"

While watching this documentary, I want you to keep notes on the various "candidates" for the first to arrive in America.  Of course we already know that people were already here -- and possibly even Europeans -- but keep some notes (including the time period, strength of the theory, and weakness of the theory) on the people that are discussed.  I will provide a worksheet (also available here).

Note details for each of the following discoveries:

• Native Americans
• Solutrean
• Japanese
• Hebrew
• Chinese
• Irish
• Polynesia
• Viking
• Welsh

At the end of the video you can sit with another person and compare notes.  I want you to make sure you have dates because there will be a homework assignment.

HOMEWORK:

1. Use the dates in your notes to create a time line with notes (annotated) about the "Discovery of America".
2. Which of the theories has solid evidence to support it as a viable theory?
3. Why do you think there is continuing discussion/debate about the "discovery" of America?

Here are some examples of time line, although you can choose your format:

Finally, check out this clip demonstrating how similar art is throughout history.

Some things to consider:

And how about these?

Finally, where are these statues from?