Greeks/Phoenicians/Romans in America?

[Hax]

Since we were getting way off topic in MAA's AAR, I decided to open a topic here.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I also read an article in a magazine -- I think it was National Geographic or something like that, which really freaked me out -- that some people claim to have found pottery evidence that Carthaginians were trading with South Americans at one point.

Apparently Carthage is the new Atlantis.

The Phoenicians/Carthage traded up the Atlantic coast as far as Britain but never really set up any true colonies out there. They also traded down the African coast, but it is almost impossible for them to have made it to the Americas. Not impossible to do so, just extrememly unlikely.

Yeah, I know they traded with the Brits, though most of the trade would likely have gone through middle-men first. But yes, I know the Carthies had set foot on the Brittish Isles, but the notion of Carthaginian colonies there just struck me as so absurd. Maybe it isn´t all that absurd, but it was presented as undisputed fact.

And yes, it is extremely unlikely they went to America. But heck, they probably went south of the equator, so who knows. We can´t be sure.

But anyway, when did this become about Carthaginian colonies around the globe? I want a new chapter!

Well, the Greeks even went as far as ''Esperia'', or America as they called it. Greek coins have been found there, just do a quick net search and you'll come across it. That's why I see no reason the Phoenicians wouldn't be able to do so, as advanced in trade as they where.

Maion

I know they were in Sri Lanka and probably in SE Asia as well, but America? The coins could have been lost by a numismatist, mind you.

Maybe, but then again it is up to each of us to make conclusions. Anyway, we are getting off-topic so I guess we should get back to the point :-P

Maion

I think the Semurians were the first civilisation to travel to the Americas.

Discuss!