ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Theory of Phoenician discovery of the Americas

Okay kiddo, let's talk about the theory that the Phoenicians discovered America a really really long time ago.

The Phoenicians were a group of people who lived a very long time ago in a place called Phoenicia. They were really good at sailing and exploring the ocean. Some people think that they might have found America even before Christopher Columbus did!

But how could they have done that? Well, some people think that they followed a special route that took them across the Atlantic Ocean. They sailed past places like the Canary Islands and then made their way across the ocean to America.

Now, this theory is not proven – that means we don't know for sure that it happened. But some people think that there is evidence that supports the idea. For example, there have been artifacts found in America that are similar to ones that the Phoenicians used back in their own country. Some people also say that there are cave drawings in America that look like they might have been made by people who came from Phoenicia.

But again, we don't know for sure if the Phoenicians really did discover America. It's just a cool theory that some people believe in.