Greeks/Phoenicians/Romans in America?

**oudysseos** · 11-04-2008, 08:51

I agree with Gleemonex and don't take my comment about re-enactors as a negative one- I participated in the Olympias trireme way back when, so that'd be calling the kettle black- but I think it is important to stress that a reconstruction or re-enactment does have limits. Heyerdahl proved that reed boats are capable of ocean crossings, not that there were extensive trade links between the Carthaginians and the Olmecs. Keravnos is right that hindsight is 20/20: Heyerdahl, Severin et al could make their voyages because they knew where they were going, and had radios and life rafts if they got into trouble. They also had the leisure time and money to footle around with their hobbies. Ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Egyptians, Lemurians etc didn't have those advantages and most of all didn't know that there was a new world to find.
The ultimate proof that there were not trade links (as opposed to accidental non-return crossings) is the absence of new world products in Europe before Colombus. Cotton plants, tomatoes, maize, peppers, potatoes, tobacco- these items and many others transformed European society and economy when they became available in the 16th century.

**Gleemonex** · 11-04-2008, 11:04

Originally Posted by oudysseos

I think it is important to stress that a reconstruction or re-enactment does have limits. Heyerdahl proved that reed boats are capable of ocean crossings, not that there were extensive trade links between the Carthaginians and the Olmecs.

I agree 100%. My post was aimed generally; it wasn't meant to target you.

I've seen others make less measured assessments of re-enactment, however. And that's why I stressed that re-enactment should be taken for what it is (in addition to being a fun time) -- a demonstration of what is theoretically possible or feasible, provided that the methods and equipment are historically accurate.

An interesting reflection of this, strangely enough, is in the movie "Apollo 13". Gary Sinise's character is grounded when Apollo 13 launches, but when the return capsule encounters technical problems he re-enacts the conditions in a simulator. At one point, he castigates the engineering crew for providing him with the wrong type of flashlight (and also refuses to take a break).

-Glee