Ming Treasure Fleet hypothesis proposes Chinese contact with Cahokia in 1430. Hypothesis that Ming dynasty treasure fleet from Nanjing reached Cahokia around 1430 Lori Bonner Nicholas translated Chinese documents describing the route via Indian Ocean to Mecca, then to Venice Fleet landed in Canadian Maritimes, traveled inland via St. Lawrence River to Niagara Falls to Cahokia
A controversial hypothesis suggests Ming dynasty treasure fleet ships from Nanjing reached Cahokia around 1430 AD. Lori Bonner Nicholas translated Chinese documents describing a route from the Indian Ocean through Mecca to Venice, then across the Atlantic to Canadian Maritimes, inland via the St. Lawrence River and Niagara Falls to Cahokia. Proposed evidence includes silkworm cocoons, river pearls, and medicinal plants matching Chinese journals. Important caveat: the archaeological community has largely dismissed this interpretation as speculation.
Key Facts
- Hypothesis that Ming dynasty treasure fleet from Nanjing reached Cahokia around 1430
- Lori Bonner Nicholas translated Chinese documents describing the route via Indian Ocean to Mecca, then to Venice
- Fleet landed in Canadian Maritimes, traveled inland via St. Lawrence River to Niagara Falls to Cahokia
- Cahokia identified as 'Fangu the Yama kingdom' ruled by sun spirit
- Evidence includes silkworm cocoons, river pearls, and medicinal plants matching Chinese journals
- Archaeological community has largely dismissed this as fiction
Related site: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: The Roundtable Chronicles - Ep. 21 by Institute for Natural Philosophy