Interesting.....brings up something else to think about (but not a
lot!).  Why would the Maya start building walled coastal cities
(Tulum)? The Viking threat...........?

Ken


On Wed, 16 Feb 2000, James H Brothers IV wrote:

> Also to be considered are the ship types and sailing practices.  Viking ships
> were designed for open water and the Vikings thought nothing of sailing in all
> seasons in the North Atlantic.  One of the least hospitable oceans in the
> world.  The Vikings were what are often termed "Blue" water sailors.
>
> The Romans, and most other Mediterranean peoples, used ships designed for
> coastal work and seldom went out of sight of land if they could help it.  It was
> not uncommon for ships to beach or put into a harbor every night.  The
> Roman grain fleets even stayed in harbor during the stormy season.
>
> It is possible that a Roman or other Mediterranean ship was able to make it
> across the
> Atlantic after being blown off the coast of Africa.  But it is much less likely
> than a Viking ship.  And I can't think of a single instance of the Romans
> sailing off on voyages of discovery.  The Vikings on the other hand had an
> unpleasant habit of showing up just about everywhere.  Unpleasant at least for
> the locals.
>
> JH Brothers IV
>