Phoenician Fan Fiction?
Phun and adventure at Pedra da Gávea, Rio de Janiro
Our digital exploration today begins at Pedra da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro. As we imagine ourselves wandering around this majestic mountain, we delight in stopping to pick some lemons, oranges, bananas, and papayas. We enjoy a picnic among the vibrant cannas, savoring the fresh fruit. Reclining on our blanket and gazing skyward, we see clouds that evoke visions of otherworldly ephemeral sailing ships or celestial beings drifting by.
As we look up, we are awestruck by the sheer scale and grandeur of the formation before us. This monolithic structure, composed of granite and gneiss and rising to 844 meters (2,769 ft), ranks among the highest mountains in the world. Its silhouette resembles a masted sailing ship, inspiring the Portuguese name Pedra da Gávea, meaning "Rock of the Topsail." It is also known as the “Crow’s Nest Stone”—a fitting name, as the crow's nest atop a ship’s mast serves as an elevated lookout point, allowing sailors to survey the surroundings. This vantage point helps spot land, other ships, or avoid potential catastrophes with nymphs, dolphins, or other maritime obstacles.
Portuguese explorers named the rock Gávea because it provided an ideal vantage point for observing incoming caravels, the ships used by explorers to cross the ocean and reach the American continent.
Exploring the mountain further, we might encounter a stylized human face that appears to be a monument to an ancient king. Intrigued, we could also discover inscriptions in the rock commemorating this revered king, who is said to have ruled with justice and mercy over his subjects, the Tupi people, indigenous to Brazil.
But wait… unfortunately, our Brazilian geologist and scientist tour guide might shatter our fantasy by insisting that the “inscriptions” are simply the result of weather erosion. They would also argue that the “face” we see is nothing more than pareidolia—a psychological phenomenon where familiar patterns, like faces or animals, emerge from random shapes, much like how we might see ships or angelic beings in fluffy clouds.
We can’t fault our imaginary internet tour guide for sticking to the official narrative. The Brazilian Ministry of Education and Health, after examining the markings from afar, officially classified these markings as nothing more than weather erosion.
Given our curiosity and tendency to question everything, we can’t be entirely sure that this authoritative “because we say so” narrative isn’t merely a way to dismiss fringe theories. Intrigued, we can’t resist taking a closer look while enjoying our bananas amidst the symphony of vibrant flowers in the surrounding forest.
So, here’s the “inscription” in question. It appears a bit fuzzy, and I must agree with the officials—it doesn’t look much like an actual inscription. From this distance, it’s hard to make out any details.
It’s clear that we’re not alone in wanting a closer look. In 1972, the group "Equipe Neblina" ascended the "Paredão do Escaravelho," the wall on the east side of the “head,” and examined the markings up close. Despite years of Rio’s heavy rainfall, the climbers reported that the markings were still nearly intact. If you’re physically fit and don’t have a phobia of heights, there’s a famous and challenging hike that will take you to the top. The view is quite phenomenal. However, the climb is risky; some climbers have unfortunately fallen during their attempts.
Speculation about ancient writings had been considered a fringe theory long before the climbers examined the rock. Supporting this alternative viewpoint, Paul Herrmann, in his 1954 book Conquests by Man, noted that the “inscription” on the mountain had been recognized for some time and was attributed to an unknown group of prehistoric Americans.
Other researchers have suggested that the markings are Phoenician. In 1963, Bernardo de Azevedo da Silva Ramos, relying on secondary sources rather than direct observation, offered an interpretation of the inscription. His analysis, which assumes a Phoenician origin, is detailed in his book Tradições da América Pré-Histórica, Especialmente do Brasil.
Here is an image of Ramos’ notes on the glyphs:
Ramos’ notes feature a drawing of the inscription as it appears on the rock, a transliteration into Hebrew, and a rendering of the letters in the Latin alphabet. When read backwards—since both Hebrew and Phoenician scripts are written from right to left—the inscription translates to:
TZUR FOENISIAN BADZIR v RAB JETHBAAL
Or: Tyro Phoenicia, Firstborn Jethbaal.
While Ramos’ work was significant in the context of early Brazilian historical research, I must say that the original scribbles appear quite different from ancient Phoenician script. You can compare them yourself. Phoenician letters are as follows: 𐤀 𐤁 𐤂 𐤃 𐤄 𐤅 𐤆 𐤇 𐤈 𐤉 𐤊 𐤋 𐤌 𐤍 𐤎 𐤏 𐤐 𐤑 𐤒 𐤓 𐤔 𐤕 (Right to left: Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, He, Waw, Zayin, Heth, Teth, Yodh, Kaph, Lamedh, Mem, Nun, Samekh, Ayin, Pe, Tsade, Qoph, Resh, Shin, Taw). To evaluate or refute the theory that these markings are Phoenician, we would need to examine and compare other artifacts claimed to feature Phoenician writing. For more on ancient Phoenician interpretations, see my critique: Can ChatGPT Help Me Read Phoenician?
Another reason I question this interpretation is that the word tzur is also a Hebrew term that literally means "rock." It seems a bit too convenient, don't you think? In my view, it looks like this researcher might be projecting their expectations onto the markings. It could be another instance of pareidolia at play.
The Phoenician alphabet wasn’t deciphered until 1758 by Jean-Jacques Barthélemy, and its connection to the Phoenicians was not fully understood until the 19th century. Initially, the script was believed to be a variation of Egyptian hieroglyphs. Consequently, the fascination with ancient Phoenician writings and their speculative connections only emerged after these developments. So, the Brazilian researcher Ramos did not speculate about the Gávea markings in isolation. His work was part of a broader 19th-century academic trend that sought to link ancient American civilizations to the Old World through speculative hypotheses.
Another notable example of alleged Phoenician writing in America is the Bat Creek inscription in Loudon County, Tennessee. Discovered in 1889 during an archaeological excavation of a Native American burial mound led by Dr. Philip Phillips, this inscription has also been debated. Some researchers argue that it is fraudulent. Is his name’s "ph" alliteration and association with Phoenicia just a coincidence, or his he a phony? I also question the validity of these claims, and further research is needed for clarification.
One might also question whether researchers are skeptical due to a preference for the mainstream narrative that ancient peoples were incapable of long-distance navigation, potentially revealing a bias.
Some modern explorers have sought to test the feasibility of Atlantic navigation by reconstructing ships based on ancient shipbuilding technology and undertaking transatlantic voyages. For example, in 1970, Norwegian explorer and ethnographer Thor Heyerdahl embarked on Ra I and Ra II expeditions to demonstrate that ancient Egyptians could have crossed the Atlantic to the Americas. Although his primary aim was to show this specific possibility, his efforts also sparked broader discussions about ancient maritime capabilities.
In 1984, Bill and Bob Halsey conducted an expedition to test the theory that ancient Mediterranean sailors could have reached the Americas using oar-powered rafts or boats. Despite their efforts to explore the possibilities of ancient trans-oceanic travel, the expedition faced numerous challenges and did not provide conclusive evidence of Phoenician or Mediterranean contact with the Americas.
It's possible that a ship lost at sea might have been carried to the Americas by Atlantic currents. However, it's more plausible that any Phoenician presence in the Americas resulted from deliberate exploration. Renowned for their advanced seafaring skills, sophisticated shipbuilding technology, and extensive trade networks across the Mediterranean, the Phoenicians ventured into the Atlantic with intent. Historical records show that Carthage, a Phoenician colony in North Africa, undertook exploratory expeditions into the Atlantic.
The Phoenician voyage around Africa is a fascinating episode in ancient history. According to Herodotus in The Histories (Book 4, 42-43), Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt, who reigned from around 610 to 595 BCE, commissioned the Phoenicians to circumnavigate Africa. The account describes Hanno the Navigator setting out from the Red Sea and spending several years completing the voyage around Africa’s coast in the 5th century BCE. To sustain themselves, the crew stopped annually to sow and harvest crops along the way.
Herodotus also noted that the Phoenicians observed the sun to their right while sailing west around Africa's southern tip, a detail some scholars interpret as supporting the authenticity of the voyage.
Here is another interesting historical account by Aristotle (384 BCE – 322 BCE). In the book attributed to him, De mirabilibus auscultationibus, he wrote the following:
In the sea outside the Pillars of Hercules they say that an island was discovered by the Carthaginians, desolate, having wood of every kind, and navigable rivers, and admirable for its fruits besides, but distant several days' voyage from them. But when the Carthaginians often came to this island because of its fertility, and some even dwelt there, the magistrates of the Carthaginians gave notice that they would punish with death those who should sail to it, and destroyed all the inhabitants. lest they should spread the report about it, or a large number might gather together to the island in their time, get possession of the authority, and destroy the prosperity of the Carthaginians.
"Outside the Pillars of Hercules" refers to the area beyond Gibraltar, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. Some geographers argue that since there are no islands with navigable rivers in the Atlantic, this phrase might be interpreted as referring to the Americas.
Another ancient account suggests that Phoenician sailors explored the Atlantic coast of Europe. In Ora Maritima (The Sea Shore), a poem from the 4th century AD by Avienius, earlier sources and traditions are recounted regarding ancient explorations. Avienius describes Himilco's northward voyage from the Iberian Peninsula along the Atlantic coast to the "Tin Islands.” This voyage is often cited as evidence of Carthaginian exploration and trade in the Atlantic, including commerce with the British Isles for tin, particularly from Cornwall, which was essential for bronze-making. Critics argue that the fascination with ancient Phoenician civilization was often distorted or exaggerated, used to support nationalist histories by claiming the Phoenicians as the ancient progenitors of Britain and Ireland.
It can be quite disillusioning that, despite being called the "Father of History," Herodotus’ accounts may not always be reliable. For example, he described large ants as big as dogs in India that supposedly dug up gold providing riches to the local people. Herodotus also reported that flying snakes in Arabia could cover vast distances.
As mentioned, the book attributed to Aristotle may not have been authored by him directly. Aristotle, renowned as the founder of the Lyceum in Athens, where he taught and conducted research. His works may have been written or edited by his followers. Consequently, the authenticity and authorship of some texts remain debated.
In general, it's prudent to approach all historical texts with a degree of skepticism, as I discuss further in my article, "Are the Works of Ancient Historians Extant?" This skepticism should not lead to disillusionment or unchecked imagination but rather encourage a careful and critical evaluation of the available evidence.
If we accept historical accounts at face value, it doesn't seem entirely implausible that ancient Phoenicians could have ventured beyond the Pillars of Hercules and reached the Americas. This notion likely fueled speculations from researchers like Ramos and Charles Étienne Brasseur de Bourbourg.
In his 1857 book, Histoire des nations civilisés du Mexique et de l'Amérique Centrale, Brasseur analyzed Maya codices and inscriptions through the lens of his theory that Phoenicians were connected to other ancient civilizations. Brasseur introduced the fictional character Votan, whom he claimed was an ancient Phoenician legislator. According to Brasseur, Votan migrated from the Middle East to the Maya region, defeated a race called the Quiname, founded the city of Palenque, and established an empire called Xilbalba, which he posited once covered all of Mexico and part of the United States.
We shouldn’t be surprised by Brasseur’s speculations that the Phoenicians might have reached the Americas long before Columbus, especially considering that the Vikings are now known to have arrived prior to Columbus.
Interestingly, Argentinian fringe archaeologist Jacques de Mahieu proposed that the Gavía inscription was not Phoenician but rather Nordic runes, translating to: "Next to this rock, numerous oak planks for ship are deposited on the beaches of sand." He suggested that Vikings would have revered the site, viewing the mountain as their god Odin.
This raises a crucial question: How is it that these markings can be interpreted as either Viking or Phoenician? Such conflicting interpretations undermine confidence in either researcher’s ability to accurately decipher the markings.
Other theories propose that the Phoenicians might have reached the Azores or Canary Islands, though these ideas are not widely accepted by mainstream researchers. Adding to the speculative mix, Donnelly, building on Brasseur’s ideas, suggested in his 1882 book Atlantis: The Antediluvian World that Votan was a figure from Atlantis.
Another reason to question some of these theories is the debate over whether the so-called “Phoenicians” ever constituted a self-conscious community or nation. Historians use the term "Phoenician" broadly, while these people referred to themselves as Canaanites, a name derived from their geographic location in ancient Canaan, encompassing parts of modern-day Lebanon, Syria, and Israel. Variations of this term, such as Kanaanaim, Kenani, or Kanaani, appear in various ancient texts. The term "Phoenician" itself comes from the Greek Phoiníkēs (Φοινίκης), meaning "purple-red," referencing the famed dye made from sea snails. This name was used by other cultures but was not what they used for themselves.
Lastly, there is an intriguing notion of “ETs phoning home” from atop Pedra da Gávea. The site has been linked to UFO phenomena, with a peculiar story about two scientists who were hospitalized after claiming to have seen bright lights and a mysterious portal in a deep crevice.
All this leaves us with many unanswered questions. On one side, some researchers are enamored with all things "Phoenician," while others seem determined to debunk any theories of ancient contact with the Americas. I recognize my own bias, too, as I’m fascinated by the idea of an ancient interconnected world and intrigued by proposals from figures like Graham Hancock. I aim to keep an open mind about early discoveries of the Americas and am inclined to support theories that challenge the claim of Christopher Columbus being the first to discover the continent. For more on Columbus, see my article here: Christopher Columbus.
Exploring Pedra da Gávea’s mysteries is like navigating a metaphorical ocean of historical enigmas, where fact and fiction intertwine, urging us to delve deeper into human history chasing phantom traces of ancient civilizations. When considering the possibility that Phoenicians reached America, we might bluntly say that history has its fair share of skeletons in the closet, or we might euphemistically say that history has a way of keeping some secrets tucked away in its ancient folds.
My philosophy is to adopt a 'crow’s nest' view of history—examining both the possibilities on the horizon and potential obstacles. Rather than dismissing stories outright due to distance or skepticism, as some authorities might, we should, metaphorically speaking, climb mountains to get both the bigger picture as well as a closer look at the details. It's crucial to recognize our own biases and the allure of historical fantasies. Speculating about the past can be both engaging and essential for formulating hypotheses. We should build metaphorical ancient ships to explore theories as if we were traveling back in time, testing ideas, and seeking the unknown. While maintaining skepticism is important, it should inspire us to ask questions, explore our world and our past, and imagine a better future.
Phun challenge, how many words with “ph” are there in this article?
Here are some quite comprehensive, but also speculative websites about Phoenicians if you are interested in exploring further epiphanies on the subject:
Pedro da Gávea Hike - Suitcase & I website
Phoenicia.org - Comprehensive, website on ancient Phoenicians
Phoenician articles index - Heritage History website
Phoenicians in Brazil - Biblical Archeology website
Phoenicians in America Index - Patagonian Monsters website
Origin of the Phoenicians - Phoenicians in Phoenicia website
Here is my archive of other articles I have written: Simmystery Archive
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