Ep 7. Marco Polo Discovers America

In America Unearthed Season 3 Episode 7, titled "Marco Polo Discovers America", host Scott Wolter investigates the theory that Marco Polo may have visited North America several centuries before Christopher Columbus.

The episode begins with Wolter meeting with a group of researchers who claim to have found evidence of Polo's journey to the New World. They show him a map that they believe was created by Polo himself, which outlines his journey throughout the Americas. Wolter is skeptical but intrigued by the possibility of the famed explorer visiting North America.

Next, Wolter travels to Rhode Island to investigate a rock carving that allegedly depicts Marco Polo and his Chinese crew. The carving, which was discovered in the 19th century, suggests that Polo may have made it to the east coast of North America. Wolter conducts a series of tests on the carving to determine its authenticity and age.

From there, Wolter travels to Texas to investigate a manuscript that claims Polo visited the southwestern United States. The manuscript was found in a Spanish library and includes accounts of Polo encountering Native American tribes in the area. Wolter consults with experts to determine if the manuscript is a fraud or if there is any truth to its contents.

Later in the episode, Wolter meets with a group of scientists who believe that Polo may have brought over exotic plants from China to the Americas. The scientists conduct a series of experiments to determine if the plants could have survived the journey and adapted to their new environment.

Wolter also speaks with historian Gavin Menzies, who has written extensively about Polo's alleged journey to the Americas. Menzies provides Wolter with additional evidence and theories to support his claim.

In the end, Wolter weighs the evidence and presents his findings. He considers the possibility that Polo could have visited North America but ultimately concludes that there is not enough conclusive evidence to support the claim. However, he acknowledges that the idea of Polo visiting the New World is intriguing and worthy of further investigation.

Overall, "Marco Polo Discovers America" is an interesting episode of America Unearthed that delves into the possibility of a renowned explorer visiting North America long before Columbus. Through a series of investigations and tests, Wolter presents various pieces of evidence and theories to support or debunk the claim.