Phoenicians Before Columbus Expedition

The PHOENICIANS Before Columbus Expedition

From the Mediterranean to the Americas

Being in TUNIS last September, I heard for the first time about this expedition. As my research papers deal with the North African history, I could not ignore this event. Particularly, just after publishing a paper called ‘Punics & Numidians / The Phoenicians in North Africa’ [Puniques et Numides - Les Phéniciens en Afrique du Nord].

It happened that I met my friend André A***, a great scholar on Tunisia, and of course, the conversation switched to this expedition as their rebuilt Phoenician boat had just arrived from England, and was allowed to dock at the pleasure harbor of Gammarth.

We know that among all their fabulous navigations, the Phoenicians had gone beyond the ‘Strait of Hercules’ into the Atlantic. Looking for tin, they sailed up the European coasts of Western Europe as far as Cornwall and the Scilly Islands. There are accounts that they also sailed to the Gulf of Guinea, looking for gold. Even more extraordinary, there is an account that they might have circumnavigated the African continent from the Red Sea, commissioned by an Egyptian Pharaoh!

André made some fascinating linguistic remarks about the origin of names from Aquitaine to Brittany linked the Phoenician maritime route to the British isles.

Now, here was something new, a British adventurer wanted to prove that they could have crossed the Atlantic 2,000 years before Christopher Columbus!

I immediately thought of the ‘Ra Expedition’ carried by the Norwegian sea-adventurer Thor Heyerdahl across the Atlantic. This time, the British Captain, Philip Beale, wanted to prove it was possible too and that the Phoenicians were able to do it. The difference was not to ask the question:” Did the Phoenicians discover America?”, but rather “Could the Phoenicians have crossed the Atlantic to the Americas?”

The Telegraph

Some time ago, there had been stories that the Phoenicians had come to Brazil in particular. But all the pieces of evidence presented

'Phoenicia' at sea
@ Phoenicians Before Columbus

proved to be hoaxes.

In this current circonstance, two things already appear interesting:

• The British team had made a life replica of an original boat, rightly name ‘Phoenicia’.
• They had already successfully sailed from Cornwall to Carthage by sailing southwards along the coasts.

Then, it was not doubtful that the expedition could also sail down the western coast of Morocco as the Phoenicians did before. Cadix (Andalusia) and Lixus (Larache, Morocco) are the two oldest Phoenician settlements with Utique, in Tunisia, even before the foundation of Carthage.

Crossing the Atlantic, after the Canary Islands (which they also knew), remains a speculation. Yet, it remains a fascinating adventure and experience worth following!

André A*** had put my name on the list of the official guests invited to welcome the ship team at a reception in Gammarth. But unfortunately, it came too late for me to change my travel plans. This is my deepest regret.

But I am resolutely following the expedition progress, sharing all the information today, as it is carefully prepared and advertised in keeping with today’s technology. 

Here is the expedition website [Phoenicians Before Columbus Expedition]

It is possible to track accurately their route: Tracking 

'Phoenicia' route from Carthage to Essaouira

At this point in time, after Cadix, they are now at Essaouira. Here is an article issued in French on the official reception there: La Vérité Hebdo, Essaouira

There are also a few YouTube reports: Phoenicians Before Columbus 

Christian Sorand