Who Named America? Surprising Facts About Its Origins

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the origins of the name "America," exploring various theories and historical connections. Participants examine the possibility that the name may not derive from Amerigo Vespucci, but rather from Norse influences or other cultural contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the name "America" might originate from the old Norse word "Omme-rike," meaning "Far Land," and connects this to Columbus's visits to Norse territories.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the "Omme-Rike" theory, emphasizing that Amerigo Vespucci's name appears on maps he created.
  • A third participant draws a parallel between the Clovis culture in the New World and Mousterian technology in France, suggesting that both may have European roots, which they argue is comparable to the Omme-Rike idea.
  • A later reply humorously challenges the validity of ancestral claims, indicating a lighthearted skepticism towards the historical assertions being made.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, with multiple competing views on the origins of the name "America" and the validity of the theories presented.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on historical interpretations and the availability of written documents, which may not provide definitive proof. The discussion reflects differing levels of skepticism and acceptance regarding the theories proposed.

Aufbauwerk 2045
Today I learned several interesting facts about America. Perhaps it's not named after "Amerigo" Vespucci after all.

The old Norse word for "Far Land" is Omme-rike. "Rike" is similar to the German word "Reich."

Columbus visited Iceland, a Norse country, years before he "discovered" America.

The Icelanders needed wood from somewhere. Much shorter and safer to sail to Greenland than to Europe, and from Greenland it was a certain landfall to the heavily wooded coasts of Omme-Rike.
 
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I would need some significant evidence before going with that "Omme-Rike" notion.
Amerigo put his name of the maps of America that he drew.
The Nordic culture was not well known to the New World adventurers.
 
FWIW - Mousterian (France) and Clovis (New World) neolithic technology were somewhat contemporary - that is the points and cutting tools have a lot of unique features that they share. Some scholars have posited the clovis people may have been a European derived culture. This is on a level with your Omme-Rike concept.

This whole problem is why scholars go with written documents, stelae, runestones, or monuments when they exist. That they are completely correct is impossible to prove, but it is far better than anything else we have. As @.Scott mentioned. This is the why of it.
 
I see. Next thing you'll be telling me that my family tree going back to Adam and Eve via some Norse warlords is not authentic. Go ahead and destroy all my fantasies while you are at it.

LOL

:)
 

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