[Cincinatus]

All these stories about the Chinese "discovering" America or the Vikings "discovering" America are all totally and completely irrelevant. Nobody DID anything with the Americas (including its then-inhabitants) until Columbus' voyages blazed that trail for Spain. Discoveries must be followed up or they are NOT "discoveries."

[Bringbackthedraft]

Discoveries must be followed up or they are NOT “discoveries.” .............................. The people who were here discovered it, the ones that came later were conquerors looking for spice, gold, cheap labor and to spread Christianity. (Pretty much in that order)

[oblomov]

Columbus’ discovery wasn’t unique because he found new continents. That there was land across the Atlantic was somewhat common knowledge. The “discovery” was that people were living there, in cultures distinct from Europe, Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.

[Bigg Red]

My thoughts were similar to yours when I read this. See my #29.