The Naming of America: A Quest Through Historical Records
When discussing the naming of America, it's important to delve into historical context and geographical knowledge, particularly before the arrival of the Europeans. The question often arises: what was the name for America in the days of Jesus? The answer is quite fascinating and enlightening for both historians and enthusiasts.
Historical Knowledge and Geography in Jesus' Time
During the time of Jesus Christ, the vast lands that now comprise part of the Americas were largely unknown to people in the Old World. Native American civilizations, while advanced in some aspects, did not have the maps or communication networks to convey global geographical knowledge to other distant lands. Similarly, the people of the Old World, such as the Europeans and Asians, had no concept of America's existence.
It wasn't until 1000 years after Jesus' time, when Vikings, specifically the Norse, established a settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in what is now Newfoundland, Canada, that evidence of early human presence in the Americas became known. This was the first European contact with North America and marks the beginning of recorded interactions between the Old and New Worlds.
Native American Perspectives on Naming the Land
It's worth noting that while there wasn't a general name for the entire continent during Jesus' time, the indigenous peoples' names for their territories can give us an insight into how the land was perceived. The Anasazi, one of the earliest known inhabitants, may have had a name for their territory, but this information is not widely documented due to the lack of written records amongst these groups.
Another interesting perspective comes from the Native American concept of Turtle Island. This name, likely adopted by different tribes, signifies the belief that North America was shaped like a turtle. This terminology suggests a strong connection between the native inhabitants and the land, possibly indicating a common origin or cultural ties among the various tribes.
The Naming of America: From Vikings to Columbus
The name 'America' was not assigned until much later, centuries after Jesus' time. The Vikings, specifically Leif Erikson and his crew, are credited with establishing a settlement known as Vinland, where L'Anse aux Meadows is located. This name, however, was not widely recognized and did not persist in the same form as 'America.'
The name 'America' was given by the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in the late 15th century. He named the land after the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Vespucci, in turn, was credited with soon realizing that the land he had encountered was a new continent, different from Asia as originally thought. This widely adopted naming was due to Vespucci's writings and the subsequent diffusion of his ideas through the European scholarly community.
Further Insights from Indigenous History
Interestingly, some historians point to the Inca civilization's records, which mention earlier names for the land. The Inca, who had a well-developed administrative system and astronomical knowledge, may have had their own naming conventions for territories that included parts of South America. However, these names, if they existed, are not well-documented and may not have persisted in the same form they were first known.
In summary, the question of what America was called in the days of Jesus is primarily an exercise in historical knowledge and cultural context. The vast landmasses of what would become North and South America were unknown or unnamed to most people of the Old World at that time. It was the explorations of Vikings and later the voyages of Columbus and others that brought the land to the attention of Europeans, leading to its eventual naming.