Letter from the Directors, Giving Tuesday, December 2024

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 What if your curiosity and generosity could help uncover humanity’s untold stories, challenge outdated dogmas, and reveal truths that inspire a brighter future for generations to come?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:

• Artifacts in Mexico’s Chiquihuite Cave date back over 30,000 years, yet detractors suggest they are mere "geofacts" or the handiwork of nut-cracking monkeys.
• Human footprints discovered in White Sands, New Mexico, are dated to over 21,000 years ago. Critics countered with strange claims of ancient seeds contaminating the timeline.
• In Brazil, 27,000-year-old sloth bones shaped into pendants reveal human ingenuity. Still, sceptics dismiss them as insufficient evidence.

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is simple yet profound: to bring ground-breaking discoveries to light and amplify the voices of those challenging outdated orthodoxies.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:

• With $25, you’ll fund 12 months of exclusive newsletters, packed with discoveries, insights, and resources to empower your role as a history advocate. You'll also help launch an interactive map of ground-breaking discoveries, making history accessible to all.

• With a larger gift, you’ll enable critical projects, such as cataloguing 25 years of past discoveries, advancing revolutionary migration theories, and facilitate the investigation of ancient Chinese shipwrecks in California, Mexico, and Australia - evidence that may predate European voyages and turn history on its head.

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