Synposis:

 

Almost a century before Christopher Columbus, China’s most famous admiral, Zheng He, began voyaging over the globe. But did he reach America in 1421?

 

In his huge ships, ten times bigger than Columbus’s, and with over 25,000 men, his seven journeys reached Africa, Arabia, Indonesia and the South Pacific. But Gavin Menzies, historian and former submarine commander, argues in his controversial book 1421 that Zheng He reached America as well. The film interweaves Menzies’ detective work with the voyages of the Ming fleet, and interviews with archaeologists, maritime historians and anthropologists. Every step of Menzies’ case is tested and the truth is revealed.

 

 

Broadcaster: Channel 4 UK and PBS

 

Genre: History Series

 

Format: 2x60min