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1421 Foundation announces ambitious new program during Zheng He World Forum.The 1421 Foundation has launched a new program of scientific investigation into the wealth of information generated by the book “1421.” Last year, the Foundation asked noted archaeologist Mark Newell PhD to review hundreds of leads, tips and reports sent in by readers and researchers in response to the groundbreaking investigation by Gavin Menzies into early Chinese maritime exploration.
“The response to the Menzies book was astonishing resulting in hundreds of contacts and leads. Many related to Chinese materials in the Americas imported by the Spanish from the Philippines. There were, however, more than a few reports that were worth serious investigation,” said Newell. These reports were ranked in importance and formed the basis of a research program launched in April of this year. Newell will now work with archaeologists and historians in the UK, US and Asia to investigate each of the projects to determine if they do, in fact, provide hard evidence of Chinese maritime contact during the decades of the early 15th century. An overview announcing the research program was made during the recent Zheng He World Forum. Researchers and Universities throughout Asia participated. The announcement was made by 1421 Foundation president Ian Hudson. Newell followed with a presentation on the first five projects to be undertaken by the new research division of the 1421 Foundation. These projects include reports of a Chinese junk found in Virginia by George Washington’s Dismal Swamp Canal Company, a Chinese junk reported to be in the Sacramento River in California, Stone Anchors of Chinese design found off Redondo Beach, California and wooden fragments found underneath massive stone blocks forming the “Bimini Road” in the Bahamas. The blocks have long thought to be ballast stones used in the huge ships built by Admiral Zheng He in 1421. The announcement was well received by the forum attendees with requests for further lectures via the Internet and in person at two Chinese Universities. Progress reports on the projects - three are already under way - will be published on this website. |