What If You Could Help Rewrite History?
Imagine being part of a movement that doesn’t just study history, but reshapes it. What if your curiosity and generosity could help uncover humanity’s untold stories, challenge outdated dogmas, and reveal truths that inspire a brighter future for generations to come? This isn’t a dream - it’s what the 1421 Foundation is doing right now. And with your support, we can go even further. Those of you who read Gavin and Ian's last book, Who Discovered America? will be familiar with the once-dominant "Clovis First" theory. This theory suggested that no humans could have set foot in the Americas until 13,000 years ago, constrained by ice-bound paths across Beringia. Yet, as new evidence emerged to the contrary, opposition to new theories became fierce. The guardians of this orthodoxy resisted change with fervour, stifling discoveries and discouraging new investigation. But throughout history, it is the pioneers who’ve dared to ask bold questions and seek new answers. These are the individuals who push back against inertia, who explore new possibilities rather than clinging to old constraints. In recent years, discoveries have illuminated incredible new chapters in human history:
Each of these breakthroughs offers a glimpse into the lives and migrations of our ancestors, yet entrenched biases hinder their acceptance. What if we could change this narrative? The Power of Advocacy Archaeology The 1421 Foundation is dedicated to fostering a community of advocate archaeologists and citizen scientists - enthusiastic, like-minded individuals committed to uncovering and sharing the hidden truths of our shared past. Our mission is simple yet profound: to bring ground-breaking discoveries to light and amplify the voices of those challenging outdated orthodoxies. Together, we can empower fresh ideas, enable research into alternative theories, and spark excitement about history's mysteries. By celebrating curiosity and championing truth, we can transform our understanding of the past - and with it, our vision of the future. Be the Catalyst for Change! Should you be able to support us, on this Giving Tuesday (or indeed any other day of the week!) your donation has the power to create ripples of transformation. When you give, you’re not just supporting the 1421 Foundation — you’re joining a movement that inspires discovery and opens new horizons for humanity. Twenty years from now, you may not recall the gift you gave this year, but you will certainly remember the role you played in rewriting history. Your donation to the 1421 Foundation directly supports our mission to bring humanity's untold stories to light:
Help us tell and defend the exciting stories of new discoveries with a gift of any size. Why Your Support Matters The discoveries we support don’t just add footnotes to history—they rewrite entire chapters. They challenge biases, inspire global collaboration, and give future generations a fuller understanding of where we come from. By donating, you’re not just giving money - you’re investing in truth, curiosity, and humanity’s shared story. Donate now and join the 1421 Foundation in building a legacy that will inspire generations to come. Thank you, Ian and the 1421 Team The Great Zaire (Congo) River Expedition 50th Anniversary
An evening of celebration to mark the 50th Anniversary of the SES and John Blashford-Snell's Zaire (now Congo) River Expedition 1974 Date and Time: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:30 - 21:00 GMT Location: The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) 1 Kensington Gore London SW7 2AR United Kingdom A huge Maya city has been discovered centuries after it disappeared under jungle canopy in Mexico. Archaeologists found pyramids, sports fields, causeways connecting districts and amphitheatres in the southeastern state of Campeche.
They uncovered the hidden complex -www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-45836912 which they have called Valeriana - using Lidar, a type of laser survey that maps structures buried under vegetation. They believe it is second in density only to Calakmul, thought to be the largest Maya site in ancient Latin America. The team discovered three sites in total, in a survey area the size of Scotland's capital Edinburgh, “by accident” when one archaeologist browsed data on the internet. “I was on something like page 16 of Google search and found a laser survey done by a Mexican organisation for environmental monitoring,” explains Luke Auld-Thomas, a PhD student at Tulane university in the US. Some incredible new images being shown from the resting place of the HMS Endurance - October 202410/11/2024
New images rendered from over 25,000 photographic scans made on the 2022 expedition to rediscover HMS Endurance have been released in celebration of a new documentary from National Geographic and the Falklands Heritage Maritime Trust.
After more than 100 years submerged under the icy waters of Antarctica, a series of new images have revealed Ernest Shackleton’s ship, HMS Endurance, in a ‘remarkable state of preservation’ to a stunning new level of detail down to the very boots worn by crew members. The famed vessel found its final resting place three kilometres below the surface of the Weddell Sea when it sank in Antarctica in 1915 having become stuck in pack ice. It was an event that forced its crew to embark upon one of the most celebrated survival quests in history.
An ancient bronze dagger associated with a sophisticated, extinct civilization has been found in the depths of the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Turkey.
The dagger, which features silver rivets, is thought to be around 3,600 years old. It was uncovered during underwater excavations conducted by a team from Akdeniz University, located in Antalya Province. The excavations took place off the coast of Kumluca district in Antalya, which lies in the south of Turkey, the country's Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced on social media. "A 3,600-year-old secret from the depths of the Mediterranean has come to light," Ersoy said in a post on Facebook. "I would like to thank the teams of Akdeniz University and the Department of Excavations and Research for their meticulous work in unearthing the traces of civilizations hidden in the depths of the Mediterranean," he said. The 1421 Foundation - July 2024 update Greetings, and welcome to your latest 1421 update! This month:
On July 11th, 1405, 619 years ago, under the orders of the Ming Emperor Zhu Di, Admiral Zheng He set out on a series of exploratory trade and diplomatic missions. Today we celebrate his pioneering feats, and wish you a happy "Zheng He Day"!
The Australian “Baby Buddha”, a significant archaeological find in regional Western Australia back in 2018, has had us enthralled for the last 6 years. This solid bronze and gold-gilt Ming Dynasty Infant Buddha, unearthed by metal detectorists near Denham in Shark Bay, is now preparing for a historic journey back to its ancestral roots in China.
Cargo from the remains of the oldest shipwreck to be found in the deep sea has been discovered in the eastern Mediterranean, Israeli archaeologists have said. Hundreds of intact amphorae - ancient storage jars - believed to be 3,300 years old, were discovered 90km (56 miles) off the northern coast of Israel at a depth of 1,800m (5,905ft) on the sea bed.
Experts at the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) say the discovery suggests sailors of the period were able to navigate the oceans by using celestial navigation - taking bearings from the sun and stars. The wreck was found during a routine oil and gas survey. More details coming soon!I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click me to add your own content and make changes to the font.
Greetings, dear friends and supporters!
“…On 8th March, 1421, the largest fleet the world had ever seen set sail from China. The ships, some nearly five hundred feet long, were under the command of Emperor Zhu Di's loyal eunuch admirals. Their mission was 'to proceed all the way to the end of the earth to collect tribute from the barbarians beyond the seas' and unite the world in Confucian harmony…” Today, 603 years later, on this auspicious occasion of “1421 day”, we are excited to share our journey and the strides we've made during our respite. Research In recent years, our commitment to unveiling the mysteries of ancient maritime exploration has deepened. The 1421 Foundation has been delving into historical records, maritime logs, and collaborating with leading scholars to enrich our understanding of Zheng He and other early explorers’ voyages and their impact on global discovery. Our research has uncovered new evidence that redefines the boundaries of ancient maritime exploration, shedding light on the technological prowess and navigational skills of early explorers. In 2024, we aim to explore an updated version 1421 - adding to it, and strengthening the hypothesis - with a great deal more evidence and new lines of thinking. Do you want to join or donate to this effort, and become a published author? |
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