China Beat Columbus to New World?

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COMMENTLINE
When reading the story please note that the authenticity of the map in question has yet to be verified and it just may end up in the same museum that exhibits the Hitler Diaries and the Fiji Mermaid.

NEWSLINE
The consequences of the discovery of this map could be considerable. If it does indeed prove to be the first map of the world, "The history of New World discovery will have to be rewritten."

NEWSBYTE
China beat Columbus to it, perhaps
An ancient map that strongly suggests Chinese seamen were first round the world
(The Economist) -- THE brave seamen whose great voyages of exploration opened up the world are iconic figures in European history. Columbus found the New World in 1492; Dias discovered the Cape of Good Hope in 1488; and Magellan set off to circumnavigate the world in 1519. However, there is one difficulty with this confident assertion of European mastery: it may not be true. Read full story.

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