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Evidence that the Vinland Map is medieval.

Jacqueline S Olin

    Analytical Chemistry
    |February 14, 2006
    PubMed
    Summary

    The Vinland Map

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    Area of Science:

    • Historical Cartography
    • Medieval Ink Analysis
    • Radiocarbon Dating

    Background:

    • The Vinland Map, potentially dating to the mid-15th century, predates Columbus's voyages by 50 years.
    • Radiocarbon dating confirms the map's parchment is 15th century.
    • Ink analysis has led to controversy, with some suggesting a 20th-century forgery due to carbon and anatase presence.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To address the controversy surrounding the Vinland Map's ink.
    • To investigate the presence of carbon and anatase in medieval inks.
    • To determine the authenticity of the Vinland Map's ink composition.

    Main Methods:

    • Radiocarbon dating of the parchment.
    • Analytical studies of the map's ink composition.
    • Examination of historical medieval ink-making processes.

    Main Results:

    • Parchment confirmed as 15th century via radiocarbon dating.
    • Presence of carbon in ink is consistent with medieval iron gallotannate inks.
    • Presence of anatase in ink can be explained by historical ink production methods.

    Conclusions:

    • The presence of carbon and anatase in the Vinland Map's ink does not definitively indicate a 20th-century forgery.
    • The ink composition is consistent with medieval ink-making techniques.
    • The Vinland Map's authenticity, based on ink analysis, remains plausible.

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