The document provides evidence for African presence in the Americas before 1492, including stone heads, terra cotta sculptures, skeletons, inscriptions, oral traditions, and archaeological, botanical, linguistic, and cultural findings. Specific examples mentioned are African-like stone heads found in Mexico and the Virgin Islands, as well as skeletons found in the Virgin Islands that were determined to be morphologically African.

1. The African presence in the Americas is strongly indicated by
stone head, terra cottas, skeletons, inscriptions, oral
tradition and documented history, botanical, linguistic and
cultural data.
Assess the evidence of Viking and African presence in the
Americas before 1492.

2.  They were Norse people from Scandinavia.
 Scandinavians are people from Denmark, Norway and
Sweden.
 They left their homes to trade and raid along shore
lines.
 They had a special ship that had a dragon, this was
said to have driven fear in others.

3.  The evidence surrounding their presence in the
Americas is filled with controversy.
 The evidence of their presence range from proven and
unproven
 A Nordic site was discovered by Anne Ingstad at
L’Anseaux Meadows. There were buildings that were
similar to the Norse Style.
 A stone was found at the site, after examination it was
proven to be a fake.

4.  The inscription could not be traced.
 Research……….
 Who was Eric the Red?
 What were the Vineland Saga ?
 When did the Norse people arrive?
 When did they start colonization?

5.  Africans also set out on ships to trade
 They ended up in the Americas
 They were ship wrecked and they ended up living with
native people
 Evidence of their presence was supported by
Columbus in his writings
 Columbus wrote that Haitians told him that black
skinned people came in boats , trading metals spears.
Evidence of these spears were tested and proven to be
identical to those in Guinea Africa.

6.  Vasco Nunez in 1513, while coming down what is now
Panama saw 2 black men who were captured by the
Native Indians.
 PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
 In 1970 skeleton remains were found in the Virgin
Islands. These remains were examined by the
Smithsonian institute.
 They were morphologically African.
 In 1962 in Tres Zapates, a stone head that looked
African was discovered.

7.  It was believed to be African because it had 7 braids
something that was not seen in the Americas.
 It had African features, broad nose and full lips and
was covered with an helmet.
 CONTROVERSY
 Some scientist believed it was made by Native
Amerindians but because blunt objects were used it
caused the nose to and lips to be thick.
 They also said it was a native chiled because it has a
pucked nose and the features of a Jaguar.

8.  Another Stone head was found at San Lorenzo.
 It resembled a Colossal Stone head that are still being
made in Africa today.
 The native people bore similarities with Egyptians.
 They practiced mummification and the plucking out
of the heart. This was only seen in Egypt.
 There was the discovery of a ceremonial platform at La
Venta, which had a colonial step pyramid which was
unique to Egypt.
 portraits of African governors were found.

9.  The use of purple as a sign of royalty was seen. Purple
was also use for royalty in Egypt.
 The use of double crown presence in Egypt was found
being used the kings of the Olmec people.
 Source: They came before Columbus by Ivan Van
Sertima.
 Prepared by Miss. K. Smith