Annex 2 – Evidence of the Chinese Fleets visiting the Indian Ocean
1. Maps and star charts
- India shown on Jean Rotz (1542), Fra Mauro (1459) and Waldseemueller (1507) Kangnido (1402)
- Maldives, Chagos, Diego Garcia, St Paul Island and Amsterdam Island are all shown on Cantino (1502)
2. Chinese Records and Claims
- Ma Huan
- Fei Xin
- Sheban, a deputy battalion commander (fu qianfu) in Zheng He’s fleet was from Calicut, from India in origin (Tai Peng Wang)
- Strong commercial ties between India and Quanzhou.
3. Accounts of contemporary European historians and Explorers
- Chinese found throughout Indian Ocean to China. Chinese graveyards remain today at Malacca, Indonesia and Philippines (Sulu)
- Nicolo da Conti sailed with the Chinese fleet from India to Australia and China (Travels of Nicolo da Conti).
- “More than eight hundred sail of large and small ships had come to India from the ports of Malacca and China and the Lequeos [Ryuku Islands], with people of many nations, and all laden with merchandise of great value which they brought for sale… they were so numerous that they filled the country and settled as dwellers in all of the towns of the sea coast.” (Chaudhuri, p. 154) (Evidence provided by Professor James Finlay of Arkansas University.)
4. Local peoples’ descriptions of Chinese or Asiatic peoples and their ancestors, who settled amongst them before Europeans arrived
- The work of Ibn Battuta
- Father Monclaro, an early Portuguese missionary, reported that the islanders of Pate considered themselves as descendants of Chinese seafarers and that they presented the Emperor of China with a giraffe (1416).
5. Linguistics and languages common to China and New World
- Cochin, a city in Kerala, India, carries the name of China. Fishnets and ships of this region still resemble those used by the Chinese to this day (Sumerinder S. Mangat)
- The intonation of the Malayalam language of Kerala and also of Tamil, the language of the neighbouring Indian state, Tamil Nadu, is very much like Chinese, and not like any North Indian languages. (Sumerinder S. Mangat)
- Many natives of Madagascar have Chinese names passed down by their ancestors.
6. Shipwrecks, Chinese anchors and fishing gear found in the wake of the treasure fleet
- Brass cannon, shipwreck and cave painting found at St Paul Island. St Paul Island features on the Chinese maps. A sliver of metal has been taken from the cannon and results of the analysis will be posted on the website when available – Paul Lewis
7. Chinese porcelain and ceramics found in the wake of the treasure fleet
- Shards of Chinese pottery at Old Hasik in the Kuria Murias
- Pottery found in north-east corner of Madagascar
- Mauritius – blue and white china found at Blue Bay – Kenn Yeo
8. Pre-Columbian Chinese jade found in the wake of the treasure fleet
Further research needed
9. Artefacts, gems, votive offerings, coins and funerary urns
Further research needed
10. Stone buildings, artefacts, canals and aqueducts
- A paper in the mid 1990s by a South Indian traditional (i.e. temple) architect on the close similarities between the ancient Maya and Inca architecture of South America and that of South India. He was astonished to find on a study visit that the methods of construction, units of measurement, dimensions of modules, modes of orientation, and techniques of masonry were virtually identical. Furthermore architectural terms in the local languages were similar to the Tamil words. (Michael Neale)
- Malacca – graveyards, factory, well (Ta Tan Sen)
- Malacca – Zheng He’s temple (Mark Zhong)
- Maurituis – ancient truncated, stepped pyramids made of basalt stone in some of the sugarcane plantations – Kenn Yeo (more research needed)
11. Mining operations found by first Europeans when they reached the New World
Further research needed
12. Advanced technologies found by first Europeans on arrival in New World
Further research needed
13. Plants indigenous to one continent, found on another
- Wild turnip taken from India to New Zealand
- Mauritius – Guavas known commonly as “Goivre de Chine” commonly believed by locals to have been transplanted by Zheng He’s fleets. Guavas originate from an area extending from southern Mexico into or through Central America – Grace Chew
14. Animals indigenous to one continent, found on another
- Fulvous tree duck from Bengal to Madagascar, Brazil and Venezuela
15. Distinctive artwork carried from continent to continent
- Similarities in Indian and Chinese architecture
16. Customs and games exported from China to New World
- Malayalis, the people of Kerala, have a martial arts school which is very similar to Chinese Kung Fu. (Sumerinder S. Mangat)
17. Armour, metal weapons and metal implements found in the New World
Further research needed
18. Trans-oceanic spread of diseases from one continent to another
- Prevalence of Machado-Joseph disease
- Prevalence of Tokelau disease
19. DNA and physical comparisons
- Principal DNA Report relied upon
(a) Title: DNA Print Genomics DNA Test of Island People of Pate
(b) Author: Tony Frudakis PhD, CSO DNA Print Genomics.
Please refer to work in progress, Appendix 19
20. Meteorological events and weather
Further research needed
21. Stars and navigation
Further research needed
