Venetian glass beads were found in Alaska. Scientists suggest they came to this region even before Columbus

Archaeologists from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks have discovered several tiny blue beads in three different locations in Alaska that were made in Venice during the Renaissance. Scientists say this discovery could rewrite the history of America's discovery.

Scientists believe that Columbus was not the first European to set foot in America. Most likely, these were the Vikings who saw America almost 500 years before him. However, now experts have every reason to believe that after the Vikings, other Europeans could have visited these lands.

Michael Koontz and Robin Mills, the authors of the new study, found glass beads in three different locations around Brooks Falls in Alaska. Previously, Inuit lived in these places. Archaeologists have already found beads and jewelry in this region, but this time the discovery turned out to be unique, because together with the beads, scientists discovered several bracelets, rings, and most importantly, a rope made of plant fiber. It was she who helped the researchers to carry out carbon dating and find out the time when the artifacts were created.

“We almost fell when we got the results,” says Kuntz. The analysis showed that the items date from 1397-1488 (Columbus arrived in America in 1492). This time range was also confirmed by analysis of coal that was found near the finds. The researchers note that these beads are most likely "the earliest known European goods in America." Perhaps the indigenous people of America had contact with people who either visited Italy themselves, or traded items from this country, buying them from others.

Since Venice was the European center for glass production in the 1400s, many merchants sent items from the area along the Silk Road that connected Europe and Asia. Probably, this way the beads could get to the Far East of Russia, and from there to Alaska.

Source: https://www.popmech.ru/