Who Named America? Surprising Facts About Its Origins

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SUMMARY

The discussion reveals that the name "America" may not solely derive from "Amerigo" Vespucci, as alternative theories suggest origins from the Norse term "Omme-rike," meaning "Far Land." Historical context is provided, noting Columbus's visit to Iceland and the potential for Norse explorers to have reached America via Greenland. The conversation also touches on the importance of written documents and artifacts in validating historical claims, highlighting the limitations of speculative theories.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Norse language and terminology, specifically "Omme-rike."
  • Familiarity with the historical context of Columbus's voyages.
  • Knowledge of archaeological cultures such as Mousterian and Clovis.
  • Awareness of the significance of historical documentation in scholarly research.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the etymology of the term "America" and its historical implications.
  • Explore the Norse exploration of North America and the evidence supporting it.
  • Investigate the archaeological findings related to Clovis and Mousterian cultures.
  • Study the role of written records in historical validation and their limitations.
USEFUL FOR

Historians, linguists, archaeologists, and anyone interested in the origins of America's name and the historical narratives surrounding early exploration.

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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