Stone Age Columbus: Prehistoric Atlantic Crossing?

Ah, where was I. Asatru. Yep - so how about the idea that Solutreans (people from modern day France) crossed the ice-age Atlantic, Eskimo style, close to 20,000 years ago?

I saw this on the UK History Channel a few years ago (long before this blog and finally breaking out of the edu-media mind prison), thought it was interesting, but didn't really know what to make of it. It just drifted back from my subconscious recently, since I saw Michael Tsarion's Irish Origins of Civilisation videos and a few other things that indicate perhaps we are discrediting our ancestors a little.

I give you Stone Age Columbus: (sadly, the last part is missing, but you get the picture of what they're saying)

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(If you prefer the dramatised, Americanised, more entertaining version see Ice Age Columbus.)

Naturally the Native Americans are getting a little offended at the idea that they may be related in some capacity to Europeans. The theory itself is not proven and there are quite a few dissenting views on the topic. But either way, the conventional view on Native American origins is debunked by the very fact that there were people in North America much sooner than previously thought.

Another thing I like specifically about this documentary is it shows (see part 2) a fine example of scientific protectionism (AGW anyone?) and how opposing views can be suppressed, not necessarily because of a grand conscious conspiracy, but due to nothing more than social stigma and peer pressure.

So, perhaps there were crossings and connections between Europe and North America at that time. That might explain why even things like European Asatru and Native American beliefs have a lot in common. As for those who are more interested in Atlantis stuff, well, is this not another possible connection pointing that way?