One of the myths that were born in the second half of the last century and converted into the present century is the so-called map of Vinland. This map shows the outlines of North America made for half a century to swimming caravels of Christopher Columbus. A certain part of the scientific community does not wish to recognize its authenticity. Actually, what's the difference? Because of his contributions cannot be taken away!

On the map representing the yellowed piece of parchment with a size 28 x 41 cm, depicted coast of North America, two of the Strait, which is similar to the bays Hudson and St. Lawrence. Near the Africa, Asia and Europe in the North Atlantic there are three Islands Isolanda Ibernica (Iceland), Grouelanda, Greenland and Vinland (Vinland) and the Latin inscription Vinilanda Insula a Byarno reperta et leipho sociis ("Island Vinland, outdoor satellites Bjarni and Leif").

Written in the upper left corner of the text in Latin says that by the will of the Lord, and after a long journey, making his way through the ice on the South from Greenland to other dangerous areas of the Western ocean, partners Bjarni and Leif Eriksson have discovered a new and very fertile, and it is a rich vine and the land which they called Vinland. Henrik (Henricus or Eric), Bishop of the Holy see Greenland and adjacent countries, went into this spacious and very rich country, I humbly fulfilling the highest will become in the past year, our Holy father the Paschalion, and remained there in the name of the Almighty God for a long time both in summer and winter, and then went back to Greenland.

In accordance with this text, two Scandinavian seafarer Bjarni (Bjarni) and Leif (Leif) made his discovery in 999 year, that is, 493 years before the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, who, going on their journey, could use this card. The text of the card coincided with Icelandic sagas and other sources. So, in many Icelandic annals it is reported that in 1121 Bishop of Greenland Eric went to Vinland. Noteworthy is also an indication of the Pope. The pontificate of the Paschalion II had a period of 13 August 1099 year on January 21, 1118.

In 1957, a bookseller from Barcelona put up for sale along with this card late medieval copy of the book Historia Tartaorum - "History of Tatars", written by the Franciscan monk-missionary Johann de PLANO Carpini, visited Mongolia in 1245-1247 years. American Antiques from Connecticut Lawrence Witten (Lawrence Witten) purchased a map and a book for $ 3,500.

Perhaps, thanks to the Fund in 250 thousand dollars, in 1959 cartoonland got an anonymous benefactor. It was later revealed that he was a graduate of Yale University, American businessman, philanthropist and patron of art of Paul Mellon (Paul Mellon). Born on June 11, 1907 entrepreneur not only was the Deputy chief editor of the oldest student newspaper in the USA Yale Daily News, but also a member of the famous secret society Scroll and Key ("Roll-the manuscript and key").

He was attracted to the study of the map of experts of the British Museum, but until 1965 existence card was not made public. But later, during the next decades, when on the map learned the General public debate about its authenticity was not silent. In 1995 she was insured for 25 million us dollars.

Map of Vinland was subjected to a comprehensive analysis. In the composition of ink cards were detected particles of one form of titanium dioxide - a rare mineral anatase. Some experts considered that the anatase must not be present in the ink on the basis of carbon. Researcher Jacqueline Olin proved that the anatase could form of the mineral ilmenite, containing titanium. This iron-titanium mineral used in the middle ages to get iron sulfate - raw materials for production of paints.

Speaking at the XXIII International conference on the history of cartography in Copenhagen, the rector of the School of conservation at the Royal Danish Academy of fine arts (Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts) Dr. Rene Larsen (Rene Larsen said that the anatase could be present in the sand, which in the old days sprinkled handwriting, so he quickly dried up.

Larsen said that during the five years of his research work he and his colleagues found no traces of forgery of Vinland map. Having carefully studied the map of Vinland and the book "History of Tatars" PLANO Carpini, with which it was sold, he found that the tiny holes in parchment done arboreal beetles, identical to the holes in the pages of the book. Therefore, both documents were stored for a very long time. In this case, the card of Vinland is not fake, made in the beginning of the last century.

For example, scientists will ever be able to prove the authenticity of Vinland map, but the laurels of the discoverer of America Columbus they can't take away. Despite the validity of the stay of the Vikings, led by Leif Erickson in North America in the 10th century, opening them played no decisive role in life of Europeans, nor the indigenous population of the New world.