新奇事件簿 1421年中国发现世界

Mapmakers are currently¹ discussing the authenticity² of a map that might prove a Chinese sailor, admiral Zhu Di, was the first person to discover America. Gavin Menzies, a British amateur³ historian⁴, wrote a book called 1421 ?The Year China Discovered the World. In it, he writes that Zhu Di sailed around the world in the fifteenth century and discovered new lands. His claims are now supported by the recent discovery of an ancient map in Shanghai. The map dates back to 1418, seventy years before Columbus stepped foot on American shores. Scientists are currently testing the age of the map.

日前，制图师正对地图真假进行辨别，若地图为真，朱棣将成为首位发现美洲的君主。英国史学家孟席斯曾出版《1421：中国发现世界》。15世纪，朱棣曾派遣航海家环游世界，并发现新大陆。近日，上海发现中国古代地图，他的此番言论获得了有力证据。这张地图可以追溯到1418年，比哥伦布发现美洲早了70年。科学家正在对地图年代进行验证。

Mr. Menzies makes further claims about Zhu Di that turn our knowledge of history upside down. He states that the Chinese sailor sailed around the globe a century before Magellan, discovered Antarctica and reached Australia three hundred and fifty years before Captain Cook. Menzies says the admiral抯 maps were never used by his country抯 navy⁵, as China had little interest in the world beyond its borders. Until now, Chinese experts have said there is little truth in Mr. Menzies?book. However, the new map clearly shows America, Africa and Europe. It was bought for $500 in a Shanghai antiques⁶ shop.

此外，孟席斯的进一步论证更加颠覆历史。他称中国的环球之旅比麦哲伦足足早了一个世纪，对于发现南极和澳洲，中国比库克船长早了350年。孟席斯表示称，由于大明王朝对外界事物漠不关心，明朝海军曾未使用过地图。到目前维持，仍有许多国内人士认为《1421：中国发现世界》不可信。然而，这张地图清晰地绘制了美洲、非洲以及欧洲。在上海古董店，收藏家以500美金购得此图。

1 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。

2 authenticity   

n.真实性

参考例句：

• There has been some debate over the authenticity of his will. 对于他的遗嘱的真实性一直有争论。
• The museum is seeking an expert opinion on the authenticity of the painting. 博物馆在请专家鉴定那幅画的真伪。

3 amateur   

adj.业余的，非专业的；n.业余爱好者

参考例句：

• He made an amateur attempt to build a cupboard.他很外行地试做了一个碗柜。
• Although Tom's only an amateur he's a first-class player.虽然汤姆只是个业余爱好者，但却是一流的高手。

4 historian   

n.历史学家，编史家

参考例句：

• As a historian,he was most typical of the times in which he lived.作为历史学家，他是他所处时代最有代表性的人物。
• He calls himself a historian,but his books are a mere journalism.他自称为历史学家，但是他的书都是些肤浅的通俗作品。

5 navy   

n.海军，海军人员，海军军力，藏青色

参考例句：

• My brother is in the navy.我兄弟在海军服役。
• He has transferred from the army to the navy.他从陆军转到海军。

6 antiques   

n.古玩，古董，古物( antique的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The room was furnished with antiques. 房间里摆放了古董。
• a priceless collection of antiques 价值连城的古文物收藏