📖 Overview
America B.C. presents an archaeological hypothesis that ancient Europeans visited and settled parts of North America long before Columbus. Professor Barry Fell analyzes rock inscriptions, linguistic patterns, and artifacts to support his theory of pre-Columbian contact between the Old and New Worlds.
The book documents supposed evidence of Celtic, Norse, and Phoenician presence in ancient America through interpretations of petroglyphs and stone chambers found across the continent. Fell draws connections between Native American languages and ancient European tongues, proposing that some indigenous vocabularies contain words of Celtic and Norse origin.
Through detailed examinations of archaeological sites and historical records, Fell challenges conventional wisdom about the isolation of pre-Columbian America. His research suggests potential trade routes and cultural exchanges between Europe and North America as far back as 1000 BCE.
The work stands as a controversial reexamination of accepted New World history, raising questions about cultural contact and knowledge transfer in the ancient Americas. While disputed by mainstream archaeology, the book represents an alternative perspective on pre-Columbian trans-Atlantic connections.
👀 Reviews
Readers view America B.C. as a controversial work that proposes pre-Columbian European contact in North America. Reviews cluster around two extremes.
What readers liked:
- Detailed photographs and drawings of inscriptions
- Clear explanations of ancient writing systems
- Connections between Old World and New World symbols
- References to specific archaeological sites readers can visit
What readers disliked:
- Claims seen as unsupported by mainstream archaeology
- Translation methods questioned as selective
- Some inscriptions later proven to be natural formations
- Lack of peer review and academic citations
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.9/5 (104 ratings)
Amazon: 4.3/5 (89 ratings)
Sample reader comments:
"Fascinating possibilities, but needs more rigorous proof" - Goodreads reviewer
"Made me look at local rock formations differently" - Amazon reviewer
"Too many assumptions and leaps of logic" - LibraryThing review
"Great photos but conclusions don't hold up to scrutiny" - Amazon critic
📚 Similar books
The Lost Tribes of America by James F. Barnett Jr.
A study of pre-Columbian Native American tribes and their connections to Old World civilizations through archaeological evidence.
Before Columbus by Charles Mann An examination of the complex civilizations and cultural exchanges in the Americas prior to European contact.
The Gods of Newport by H.K. Ballard An investigation into Celtic stone inscriptions found in New England and their implications for ancient transatlantic contact.
Across Atlantic Ice by Dennis Stanford and Bruce Bradley A presentation of archaeological evidence suggesting European Solutrean peoples reached North America during the Ice Age.
Ancient Visitors to North America by Gunnar Thompson A compilation of archaeological findings and historical documents that point to pre-Columbian contact between Old World civilizations and Native Americans.
Before Columbus by Charles Mann An examination of the complex civilizations and cultural exchanges in the Americas prior to European contact.
The Gods of Newport by H.K. Ballard An investigation into Celtic stone inscriptions found in New England and their implications for ancient transatlantic contact.
Across Atlantic Ice by Dennis Stanford and Bruce Bradley A presentation of archaeological evidence suggesting European Solutrean peoples reached North America during the Ice Age.
Ancient Visitors to North America by Gunnar Thompson A compilation of archaeological findings and historical documents that point to pre-Columbian contact between Old World civilizations and Native Americans.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔍 Barry Fell was a marine biologist at Harvard University before becoming interested in ancient inscriptions, leading to his controversial work in epigraphy
🗿 The book claims that Celtic peoples from Europe visited and settled in New England thousands of years before Columbus, citing stone structures and inscriptions as evidence
📜 Several Native American tribes, including the Pima and Zuni, are suggested in the book to have used writing systems derived from ancient Mediterranean scripts
🏛️ Fell's analysis of the controversial Dighton Rock in Massachusetts suggests it contains Phoenician and Celtic inscriptions, though mainstream archaeologists dispute this
🌎 Despite academic criticism, the book sparked public interest in pre-Columbian contact theories and inspired numerous amateur archaeologists to search for evidence of ancient European presence in North America