Video Review Assignment #2

Ice age Columbus

Who were the first Americans? Was it the red Indians? Was it the Europeans? Was it the Nephites who migrated from Israel? A documentary titled “Ice AgeColombus, Who Were The First American starred by Lawrence Bayne as Beorg and directed by Nicolas Brown. Ice Age Colombus was released in 2005 and published on 4th June 2014. Ice Age Columbus tries to elaborate on factors that lead the first inhabitants of North America by 2000-5000 years.

The documentary challenges the accepted theory that native Americans or the American Indians were the first inhabitants of America. Dr. Bruce Bradley from the University of Exeter, follows the traces left behind by the Solutrean people in the film especially the Clovis weapons. The films try to prove the Clovis weapons found in Virginia America look identical to the ones found in France. Though they try to claim, the European reached America as they hunt along the ice packs -following the ice flow with their skin boat until they arrived in Virginia. The Clovis weapons evidence does not stack up the theory.

The credibility of the film is questionable. Professor Richard Peltier from the University of Toronto explains his study in the weather patterns of the stone age in supercomputer research as a possibility that leads the Europeans to America. Peter Dinklage, the narrator of the film, does not give the possibilities of other theories but sticks to the theory that the Europeans were the first inhabitants of America. He also does not provide the credibility and reliability of professor Richard and Dr. Bruce Bradley. They should have studied the DNA of the ancient Americans in their fir pits, burnt bones, and work stones that have been turned scrapers and hammers and spear points.

The film largely would affect the native Americans who claim to be the first Americans. Many native Americans and tribes reject the idea that their ancestors originated from somewhere else. They have very clear stories about how they came to America, coming out of the caves or up through springs and underground sources. Their theory is non-scientific but completely disputes the Solutrean hypothesis. The Solutrean hypothesis overts the political and cultural implication that Native Americans are not the only indigenous of the continent.

The film was made both to educate and entertain. The storyline of Borge and his family until they reach North America. Intriguingly, Beorg dies, and when Zia and her brother reach America, they found exiles already living there. Though Zia brother dies, Zia marries with the exiles to recreate the generation of the Americas. The producers of the film are not known, but their message to dispute that the Indians are the first inhabitants of North America is well delivered.

There is little evidence. Cactus Hill and the DNA study are the only things keeping this hypothesis alive though still questionable. It is not as convincing as the Anzick child who smashed the hypothesis. A very captivating storyline for the documentary.