That's true. The emperor, Zhu Di, discussed in the book did send out a fleet to other parts of Asia, Africa, and Middle Asia to bring them under a tribute system. So, it's a good chance that maybe one of the fleets did discover America, but if they did their's pretty much a scarce trace of them.
If they did, I wish this author didn't exaterrate. I find it more possible of the Chinese wandering upon Austrailia, New Zeleand, S. America, and N. America, but from the wesat side. The author has as the Chinese went around Africa onto the Eastern side of America. I find it more likely of them going to the known kingdoms of Africa then coming back home.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1029313

Who did discover america? I've always thought the Vikings were the first ones. This says Egypt could have been... :S Or Israel, or Carthage or Ireland or Vikings or more.

Oh, and after reading the Subject I half expected the post to read "The end is nigh!!!" Glad it doesn't.

Well depends on what you mean by "Discovered" pretty much.

Obvoiusly the early nomads who crossed the land bridge between Russia and Alaska were the first. There appear to be vikings who made their way to northeastern Canada. THey've found like ruins of settlements. But they didn't know where they were really. They probably thought they were on an island.

I doubt that Carthage made their way to America. Egypt, I don't see either. They were just too far away.

The Chinese I can see though. They could follow the coast all the way from China, to Russia, to Alasaka. Then down to the rest of the west coast of North and South America.

Columbus was the first to discover it from what most europeans would consider the "Civilized world" It always seemed to me that that idea that the "World was flat" didn't make sense. THe ancient greek god Atlas who holds the world on his shoulders is holding a sphere. Not a flat world.

A friend of mine said their was a show on the history channel about the Egyptians discovering America, whivh explains why some of the Aztec and Mayan had similar styles to the Egyptians (even though the Mayans knew how to build domes) and why the Mayan were the masters of astronomy. Which makes sense, but seriously.

Also I think that St. Brendan the Navigator was an Welsh prince that, through Welsh legends, discovered America and why some Natives could speak Welsh.

Wait, Chibi Yosho!
Hey, man how long has it been since u last posted on here?! U probably have I just havn't noticed! How's it goin'?