The Roman Head from Mexico

[john m roberts]

In regard to the "blown off course" hypothesis of a Roman vessel arriving in Mexico: It would not be enough to be blown off course. You'd have to be blown off course with every cubic centimeter of your vessel crammed with casks of drinking water and other provisions. That's the only way for even a part of your crew to make the voyage alive. And, even in the absence of navigation instruments, people will still understand the difference between east and west. Since they're not out there trying to discover a new world, they'll make it their first order of business to head back east as soon as that pesky contrary wind stops blowing. It wouldn't keep blowing them west for the entire crossing. They'd be trying to get back home before the provisions ran out. Oh, and there's the teredo worms.