1421 theory
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
1421 theory is used as a term to describe a theory from former British Royal Navy submarine commander Gavin Menzies. In his book 1421: The Year The Chinese Discovered The New World he suggests that the Chinese admiral Zheng He travelled to many parts of the world from 1421 to 1423, before the Europeans did. According to Menzies, his discoveries include Australia, New Zealand, the Americas and even Antarctica. The knowledge of these discoveries has been lost, Menzies argues, because lightning burnt down the Forbidden City, which was considered a divine sign. Emperor Zhu Di forbade making new voyages, and destroyed all accounts of Zheng He's voyages.
Menzies bases his theory on Chinese shipwrecks, old maps and accounts written by navigators like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. Menzies also believes that controversial structures like the Newport Tower and the Bimini Seatrack are constructed by Zheng He's men.
His book is considered by many experts to not be founded in fact. However, some academicists, like Dr. Sir John Elliot (Oxford University) do believe the theory.
Based on newly discovered evidence, Menzies modifies his theory from time to time. His new findings are usually bigger, bolder, and much less adhere to traditional views than his previous ones. For example, he now claims some of Zheng He's ships travelled as far as Spain.
Further Reading
- Gavin Menzies, '1421, The Year The Chinese Discovered The New World', Morrow/Avon, 2003, hardcover 576 pages, ISBN 0060537639
External link