America prediscovered By Norman Hammond, Archaeology Correspondent THE VEXED question of American independence has arisen once again: not, in this case, in 1776, but before Columbus came to the New World. It is generally accepted that the Amerindian population originated in Asia, probably more than 15,000 years ago, but whether there were subsequent transoceanic contacts and influences remains a matter of hot debate. Vikings from Maine to Minnesota, Romans crossing from Africa to Brazil, and Chinese and Japanese voyagers hitting the Pacific coastline have all been proposed. Now a new candidate for transpacific contact has reached a major academic journal....