The Vinland Map is believed to predate Christopher Columbus’ expedition by almost 50 years as it has realistic cartography of the island of Vinland, thought to be a part of Canada or even Northeastern America. The map could potentially provide evidence that the Norse explorers were the first Europeans to visit America and map it. However, there is doubt surrounding the origins and age of the map. These issues have divided scientists into two groups devoted to proving the authenticity or lack thereof of the map. Recent research has used several chemical analyses which have examined specifically the paper and the ink present on the map. The most recent methods used to test the map have been carbon dating and Raman spectroscopy. It is thought that the map was written on paper which has origins in pre-Columbus days. However, several analyses of the ink have revealed the presence of anatase, a form of TiO 2, which was not developed until the first part of the 20 th Century. This clearly would contradict the evidence that the paper is authentic. However, these two claims do not necessarily contradict one another.
A recent theory is that the parchment was recovered from an earlier work and then a forger used modern ink to draw a fake map. Carbon-14 dating has put the origins of the parchment to the mid 1400’s. It is very hard to come to a definitive conclusion from the available evidence as both sides offer strong arguments. In my own opinion, the map is more likely authentic than a forgery. However, the controversy surrounding the map has not yet been settled.
The Vinland Map has been at the center of controversy ever since it appeared around 1957. It depicts several islands in the Atlantic Ocean, but more importantly, an island called Vinland. This island is believed to be part of Canada or even Northeastern America. If the map is truly genuine, then it pre-dates Columbus’ discovery of America by more than 50 years (Gorman, 2002). However, there has been constant doubt surrounding its origins and authenticity. These issues have divided scientists into two camps which seem to ride circles around one another. As soon as new evidence arises, someone disputes it with counterarguments that are just as strong. The controversy has focused most recently on two issues: the ink used to draw the map, and the parchment that it is drawn upon.
In the article written by Heather Pringle, “The First Americans,” she combines findings of various archaeologists across the globe that have aimed to debunk a popular theory of migration to the Americas. As stated in the article, it is commonly believed that the first to arrive in the New World traveled across the Bering Straight, a passageway far north connecting the northeastern tip of Asia and Alaska. 13,000 years ago, these hunters were said to have followed the mammals and other large prey over the ice-free passageway. Evidence of their stone tools being left behind has led them to be called the Clovis people. This article uncovers new evidence presented by archaeologists that people migrated to the Americas in a different way, and much earlier.
However, the artefacts brought to England from Benin in 1897 were an anomaly. The craftsmanship and sophistication were such that some were reminiscent of the beautiful figures in the Hofkiche, Innsbruck 1502-1563 (plate 3.1.12. Visited...
2. Childhood- Upbringing Arthur Boyd was born into one of the most prominent artistic dynasties in Australia. His grandfather and grandmother were both academy artists. Arthur’s father Merric Boyd, was a very successful potter and sculptor amongst his many other artistic siblings.
She believes that no one understands her and that she has had it worse in her family. Her personality could be described as melodramatic, witty, and self-centred. Josephine comes from an Italian background and is raised in a single parent home by her mother Christina Alibrandi. Although Josie’s grandmother Katia Alibrandi lives close by, she is reluctant to visit everyday after school as her grandmother’s nagging, meddling and Italian traditions stifle her.
Gender Socialization plays a big part in a child’s life in shaping their femininty and masculinity. Every child is brought with to have played with at least one toy to have called their own. Now, the purpose of the research that has been conducted is to take a further look into how toys that is sold through stores and played by children. This will then give hindsight as to how what is considered the gender norm has a part in gender role stereotyping and the affect these toys have on children view of gender characteristics.
The differences in the toys geared for boys in contrast to the toys geared towards girls are very different and have a strong influence in defining gender roles. Playing is one of the most effective and influential aspects to child development as they enhance both communicative, intellectual and social skills. Unfortunately, many times these toys are gender specific and set a foundation for gender roles and contribute to shaping children’s personality from a very young age. The toys are gender specific in terms of the colors, types, the images on the toys, how the toys are decorated along with what kinds of phrases or messages accompany the toy.
The friendship been portrayed in this novel is a realistic portrayal of the teenagers’ lives in contemporary Australia. The central character Josie and her friends Sera, Anna and Lee are the example of realistic friendship. They are very good friends with each other, although there were a few minor arguments between Josie and Sera because of the different concepts they have, but they still managed to get along pretty well. They have done some crazy things together; they went to visited a famous band’s lead singer at the Sebel Town House during the school annual walk-a-thon, because they thought that singer was the most gorgeous guy in the world. This is very realistic with Australian teenagers; teenage girls always fancy towards their favourite idol or the hot-looking guys. Their friendship is very trustworthy and protective. “We tend to mother her a lot, and if we’re ever in a risky situation, like being squashed at a concert or terrorized by the students of Cook High, Anna’s the first person we try to protect.” (P19) This quote shows that they always try to protect Anna because they know she is a very nervous person. There are many Australian teenagers who like to hang out with their own groups of friends and help their friends if needed, just like Josie’s group in this novel.
As a child, our toys were not exactly as gender neutral as earlier times, but also were not as gender stereotypic as the toys in today’s time. The fact that everyone eventually comes into contact with buying toys whether you have kids or you have a friend or family member who have kids which makes this an important topic. Eventually, everyone has to buy a child a present. Would it bother you that all toys are either pink or blue and there is no in between? Or does sticking to what your child is already familiar with and knows the more ideal option when it comes to gender stereotyping with children’s toys? Authors James Delingpole and Eleanor Muffitt both do a good job at arguing both sides to this issue. Although both authors provide valid points throughout each article, about gender stereotyping with toys, James Delingpole clearly was more effective in persuading the audience because he used all three elements; ethos, logos, and pathos to support his idea.
After a long and grueling boat ride across the Atlantic Ocean from the off shore island of the Azores in the Southwest Europe nation of Portugal, my parents and I arrived in New Bedford, Massachusetts in New England. It was the year 1925. Some of our family had arrived before us; some even arrived several years before we did. On the way there I remember listening to my father tell me stories about New England. My favorite story was about the explorers and how they came to find New England. He told me that there was a nautical map that dates back to 1424 which depicted New England and that a Portuguese Sailor, Dualmo, arrived in New England in 1487, five years prior to Christopher Columbus whom supposedly was the first man to discover New England.
The fact that the shroud had disappeared for 1300 years without any evidence of its past may drift us away from believing that it is an authentic relic, because there are suggestions that show methods that could be used for the formation of this image. The cloth may be a piece of art, but it is still very old which gives it a historical importance as it tells the story of a man who suffered very much by the romans. Many historical evidence suggest the authenticity of this relic however scientific evidence may not be able to prove the authenticity, but for sure is able to prove that it is not authentic.
1. Boese, Alex. "The Voynich Manuscript, c.1500." Museum of Hoaxes. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 May 2014. .
Before it became the “New World,” as it was titled by Europeans, the Americas were vastly more populous than has been previously thought- possibly upwards of 18 million. “High Counters” and “Low Counters”, whose names are associated with their predicted population counts, argue whether or not this is in fact the case. The argument has strong implications on the history of the Americas before the Europeans. In Charles C. Mann’s 2002 article for the Atlantic magazine titled 1491, he proposes that, based on the suggestions of the high counters, that the Amazon rain forest’s fascinating landscape is an artificial creation of a massive society prior to Columbus’ arrival.
I began researching for this paper online because it was easy for me to use and a lot faster than looking up information in text books, and it’s a lot more accurate and up-to-date. Immediately I found about a hundred web sites worth printing. After scrolling through page after page, site after site I realized I had barely scratched the surface, so I decided to pick the ones with the most promising titles and print them all. Then I began the tedious task of sifting through all those papers until I found the best ones. I think I ended up with about six different sites, all on different things about the islands. One of the best ones was about the history of the Cayman Islands, I found this to be the most factual. Another good one mostly was about the Geography and Geology of the islands. The rest of them were mainly about visiting the islands, the discovery of the islands, touring the islands and comparing and contrasting the three islands.
Josephine and Mrs. Mallard feel very differently about the societal restrictions placed on them. Josephine is portrayed as the perfect nineteenth-century woman. She fulfills her duty as care-giver. This duty is seen when Josephine is kneeling before Mrs. Mallard's locked door pleading for admission: "'Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door-you will make yourself ill,'" Josephine implores. Josephine is concerned about the well-being of her sister. She is present when Mrs. Mallard hears the news of her husband's death and provides comfort and compassion. On the other hand, Mrs. Mallard feels trapped and burdened by the restriction placed on her by society. Mrs. Mallard longs to be an individual who d...
I have always been interested in the how and why, how things work the way they do, and what caused them to do this. This interest transfers to my reading style, as the most compelling thing, for me, to understand in a story is a character’s reasoning. I enjoy stories such as, “Goodbye, Columbus” by Phillip Roth, that are able to draw me in not only into the plot, but also to the character's thoughts so that my own mindset is enveloped in that character’s. Stories such as the Ghost Map by Steven Johnson don’t interest me as they focus more on the physical actions and scenery of the story, rather than analyzing the characters and their personality traits through thoughtful conflicts that don’t only test the characters but the reader at the same time.