1 . A newly discovered ancient Chinese map may prove that it was a Chinese navigator who first discovered America. He may have made the discovery seventy years before Columbus discovered the New World.

The map, which has gone on display in Beijing, is said to be a copy made in 1763 of a much older map dating back to 1418. It clearly describes Africa, Europe and the Americas. If it’s proven to be believable, the map would provide strong evidence to suggest that the famous Ming Dynasty sailor, Zheng He, beat Christopher Columbus, who arrived in America in 1492, to the discovery of the New World.

Liu Gang, a Chinese lawyer and map collector, bought the map in an antique store in Shanghai in 2001 for about 500 U.S. dollars. Liu Gang thinks the map supports the thesis of British author, Gavin Menzies, who in his 2003 book argued Zheng He was the first person to circumnavigate (环航) the globe and discover America sometime between 1421 and 1423. “In principle the British author Gavin is right. Before Columbus, Zheng He discovered America and the whole world. But in detail, not exactly... three years difference. I don’t think that’s a big deal.” Liu said.

Zheng He commanded a group of ships, which sailed between 1405 and 1433 at the order of the emperor during China’s Ming Dynasty. His aim was to spread the glory (光荣) of China to the world and establish trade.