Yes

Paper.md

@@ -2,83 +2,89 @@
 header-includes:
     - \usepackage{setspace}
     - \doublespacing
-title: Norumbega
+title: "Norumbega: The Lives of a Myth"
 author: Jacob Signorovitch
 ---
 
 \maketitle
 
 In Weston, Massachusetts, across the Charles River from Brandeis University, an
-unusual structure rises among the trees; a forty foot stone tower, complete with
+unusual structure rises among the trees; a forty foot stone tower, complete
-spiral staircase and ramparts, weathered and stained with time, looking
+with spiral staircase and ramparts, weathered and stained with time, looking
 distinctly out of place within earshot of I-95. The story of how it came to be
-there involves Vikings, a baking soda magnate, the discovery of America, and, at
+there involves Vikings, a baking soda magnate, the discovery of America, and,
-the center of it all, the city of Norumbega. As one explores the area, the name
+at the center of it all, the mythical city of Norumbega. As one explores the
-comes up again and again: a map will tell you the structure's name is Norumbega
+surrounding area, the name appears again and again: a map will tell you the
-Tower, and running alongside is Norumbega Road. Further south, one finds a
+structure's name is Norumbega Tower, and running alongside is Norumbega Road.
-Norumbega Park, and another road called Norumbega Court. This paper will explore
+Further south, one finds a Norumbega Park, and another road called Norumbega
-how one man in the late 19th century, Eben Norton Horsford, combined Norse saga
+Court. This paper will explore how one man in the late 19th century, Eben
-and a mythical Native American city into a theory for the original discovery of
+Norton Horsford, combined Norse saga and a mythical New England city into a
-America, what motivated him to do so, and what he left behind.
+theory for the original discovery of America, what motivated him to do so, and
+the legacy he left behind.
 
-The myth of Norumbega originated in the 16th century, during the Age of
+The myth of Norumbega originated in the sixteenth century, during the Age of
-Exploration. It was variously a town, city, or country, somewhere along the
+Exploration. To European explorers, it was variously a town, city, or country,
-coast of New England, inhabited by amiable and civilized natives. First given
+somewhere along the coast of New England, inhabited by amiable and civilized
-the name *Nurumberg* by Giacomo Gastaldi in a 1548 edition of Ptolemy's
+natives. First given the name *Nurumberg* by Giacomo Gastaldi in a 1548 edition
-Geography,[@KirsNor98, 34] the myth can be traced back to a conflation of two
+of Ptolemy's Geography,[@KirsNor98, 34] the myth can be traced back to a
-separate accounts. The first is that of Giovanni da Verrazzano, a Florentine
+conflation of two separate accounts. The first is that of Giovanni da
-explorer under King Francis I of France.[@GreeneLife37, 4-7] He was one of the
+Verrazzano, a Florentine explorer under King Francis I of
-first Europeans to explore the area around Narragansett Bay in 1524[@KirsNor98,
+France.[@GreeneLife37, 4-7] He was one of the first Europeans to explore the
-36, 39], and recounted his experiences in a letter to the king. He described a
+area around Narragansett Bay in 1524[@KirsNor98, 36, 39], and recounted his
-pleasant harbor inhabited by friendly and civil natives.[@KirsNor98, 39] They
+experiences in a letter to the king. He described a pleasant harbor inhabited
-practiced "more systematic cultivation [of crops] than the other tribes," and
+by friendly and civil natives.[@KirsNor98, 39] They practiced "more systematic
-were "very like the manner of the ancients [i.e., antiquity]."[@KirsNor98, 39]
+cultivation [of crops] than the other tribes," and were "very like the manner
-In the latter, Giovanni names the place *refugio*, "on account of its
+of the ancients [i.e., western antiquity]."[@KirsNor98, 39] In the letter,
-beauty."[@KirsNor98, 39] Despite Narragansett Bay being quite far from where
+Verrazzano names the place *refugio*, "on account of its beauty."[@KirsNor98,
-Norumbega would eventually be described, the Penobscot Bay region of modern day
+39] Despite Narragansett Bay being quite far from where Norumbega would
-Maine, geographical ambiguity allowed his account to become "at the heart of the
+eventually be described, geographical ambiguity allowed his account to become
-Norumbega legend."[@KirsNor98, 39] Specifically, the mention of a "more
+"at the heart of the Norumbega legend."[@KirsNor98, 39] Specifically, the
-civilized" tribe of natives would become a core aspect of the mythical city in
+mention of a "more civilized" tribe of natives would become a core aspect of
-all future renditions. The second account is that of Jean Alfonce de Saintonge,
+the mythical city in all future renditions. The second account, which lends the
-pilot on Jacques Cartier's exploration of the Penobscot Bay area [@KirsNor98,
+myth its name and location, is that of Jean Alfonce de Saintonge, a pilot on
-41]. Sailing up the Penobscot River, which he called the *Norenbègue*, he
+Jacques Cartier's exploration of the Penobscot Bay area.[@KirsNor98, 41]
-described "a city called *Norombegue* with clever inhabitants [...] The people
+Sailing up the Penobscot River, which he called the *Norenbègue*, he described
-use many words which sound like Latin and worship the sun, and they are fair
+"a city called *Norombegue* with clever inhabitants [...] The people use many
-people and tall."[@KirsNor98, 41] These two accounts, Giovanni's *refugio* and
+words which sound like Latin and worship the sun, and they are fair people and
+tall."[@KirsNor98, 41] These two accounts, Varrazzano's *refugio* and
 Saintonge's *Norombegue*, eventually merged into a single myth, canonized by
 the cartographer Gastaldi, of an advanced Native American city more similar to
 Europe than its neighbors.[@KirsNor98, 41]
 
-Over the centuries to follow, more accurate maps were drawn revealing Norumbega
+Over the centuries that followed, more accurate maps and exploration revealed Norumbega
-not as the advanced society it was believed but only "a settlement on the outer
+not as the advanced society it was believed to be but only "a settlement on the
-Penobscot shore."[@KirsNor98, 55] Still, the myth lay dormant, disproven yet
+outer Penobscot shore."[@KirsNor98, 55] Still, the myth lay dormant, disproven
-still alluring. Enter Eben Norton Horsford, a chemist working in Cambridge,
+yet still alluring. Enter Eben Norton Horsford, a mid-nineteenth century
-Massachusetts. Best known for his invention of modern baking
+chemist working in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Best known for his invention of
-powder,[@JackHors92, 343] he had long harbored in interest in history and
+modern baking powder,[@JackHors92, 343] Horsford had long harbored an interest
-archaeology. He would collect fossils around his father's farm in Moscow (now
+in history and archaeology. He collected fossils around his father's farm in
-Leister), New York where he grew up,[@JackHors92, 340] and became interested in
+Moscow (now Leister), New York where he grew up,[@JackHors92, 340] and became
-learning the language of the Seneca Indians[@JackHors92, 340] to which his
+interested in learning the language of the Seneca Indians[@JackHors92, 340] to
-father worked as a missionary.[@JackHors92, 103] Later, he would often visit
+which his father worked as a missionary.[@JackHors92, 103] Later, he would
-his wife's family estate on Shelter Island, New York.[@AdamsMemBiog08, 104]
+often visit his wife's family estate on Shelter Island, New
-There, he became interested in the island's history and "erected a monument to
+York,[@AdamsMemBiog08, 104] where he became interested in the island's history.
-the Quakers, who found shelter there from Puritan
+He even "erected a monument to the Quakers, who found shelter there from
-persecution."[@AdamsMemBiog08, 104] This pattern of research and monument
+Puritan persecution."[@AdamsMemBiog08, 104] This pattern of research and
-building would be repeated several times throughout his life, including the
+monument building would be repeated several times throughout Horsford's life,
-Norumbega Tower. Horsford's most famous accomplishment, and how he was able to
+culminating in Norumbega Tower. Horsford's most famous accomplishment, and how
-fund these projects, would come in 1856 with his invention of a revolutionary
+he was able to fund these projects, would come in 1856 with his invention of a
-new baking powder recipe without a fermentation step.[@JackHors92, 343] He
+revolutionary new baking powder recipe without a fermentation
-founded the Rumford Chemical Works, named after the Rumford Professorship
+step.[@JackHors92, 343] He founded the Rumford Chemical Works, named after the
-position he held at Harvard, which would make him a fortune.[@JackHors92, 343]
+Rumford Professorship position he held at Harvard, which would make him a
-While in Cambridge, Horsford became very interested in the possibility of
+fortune.[@JackHors92, 343] While in Cambridge, Horsford became fascinated by
-Vikings in New England. This idea had some precedent;[@FlemPicHist95, 1079] in
+the possibility of Vikings in New England. This idea had some
-1841, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote *The Skeleton in Armour*, a poem about a
+precedent;[@FlemPicHist95, 1079] in 1841, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote *The
-Norse warrior whose body was discovered by Fall River,
+Skeleton in Armour*, a poem about a Norse warrior whose body was discovered by
-Massachusetts.[@LongBall41, 29-41] But it was with Horsford the idea came to be
+Fall River, Massachusetts.[@LongBall41, 29-41] But it was with Horsford the
-most associated.[@FlemPicHist95, 1080] In 1887,[@HorsDisc87, 10] Horsford wrote
+idea came to be most associated.[@FlemPicHist95, 1080] In 1887,[@HorsDisc87,
-the dedication for a large bronze statue of Erickson,[@GuttVal18, 86]
+10] Horsford wrote the dedication for a large bronze statue of
-commending him for his early discovery of America. He doesn't stop just there,
+Erickson,[@GuttVal18, 86] commending him for his early discovery of America. To
-though; he additionally asserts Leif sailed south after making the continent,
+this point, modern scholars agree; archaeological evidence at L'Anse aux
-all the way to Cape Cod. He explains his reasoning:
+Meadows in Newfoundland constitutes a "pre-1492 presence of Europeans in the
+Americas."[@LedgeHorz19, 2] According to Icelandic sagas, it was here Erickson
+built the settlement of *Vinland*. Horsford, however, believed Erickson to have
+sailed far further south after making the continent, all the way down to Cape
+Cod. He explains his reasoning:
 
 > ...if you will be kind enough to hold up to your mind's eye, now for a
 > moment, any familiar map of North America. Look at the east coast. From
@@ -87,13 +93,12 @@ all the way to Cape Cod. He explains his reasoning:
 > 9]
 
 He disregards Newfoundland as an option, saying "[it] is bold, rocky,
-mountainous, of meagre vegetation, and with few beaches."[@HorsDisc87, 10]
+mountainous, of meagre vegetation, and with few beaches."[@HorsDisc87, 10] How
-Ironically, the best evidence archaeologists have now for the location of
+Horsford was received in the moment, if those around him were surprised by this
-Vinland is L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland. How Horsford was recieved in the
+theory, is unclear. But when he published the dedication, titled *The Discovery
-moment, if those around him were surprised by this theory, is unclear. But his
+of America by Northmen*, his theories drew the ire of contemporary historians.
-theories would certainly see criticism from historians once published. One
+One author, Justin Winsor, found issue with Horsford's theory that Vikings had
-contemporary historian, Justin Winsor, found issue with Horsford's theory that
+left a noticeable imprint on Native American language:
-Vikings had left a noticeable imprint on Native American language:
 
 > Nothing could be slenderer than the alleged correspondences of languages, and
 > we can see in Horsford's *Discovery of America by Northmen* to what a
@@ -112,54 +117,56 @@ found."[@HorsProb89, 14] Here Horsford was remarkably confident in his claims,
 inviting his audience to see the evidence for themselves. He claims there are
 "inequalities of the surface," which are "the remains of two long log houses,
 and huts, or cots."[@HorsProb89, 14] He states they are arranged "'some nearer,
-some farther from the water,' as the sagas say,"[@HorsProb89, 14] again using
+some farther from the water,' as the sagas say,"[@HorsProb89, 14] again drawing
-the sagas as a primary source of proof for his theory. Outside of just
+on the sagas as his primary source. Outside of just Horsford, there existed a
-Horsford, there existed a wider movement around the promotion of Leif Erickson
+wider movement around the promotion of Leif Erickson in the late nineteenth
-at the time. Newspapers at the time rarely mention Leif without mention his
+century. Newspapers at the time rarely mention Leif without mentioning his
-preceding Columbus,[^1] which may have been part of the widespread anti-Italian
+preceding Columbus,[^1] which may have been part of a widespread anti-Italian
-sentiment. Several other proponents of Vikings in New England also believed
+and anti-Catholic sentiment. Several other proponents of Vikings in New England
-"the 'Aryan race,' in particular its 'Teutonic' [i.e., German] branch, was
+also believed "the 'Aryan race,' in particular its 'Teutonic' [i.e., German]
-superior to all others."[@FlemPicHist95, 1078] Horsford, however, seems to have
+branch, was superior to all others."[@FlemPicHist95, 1078] Horsford, however,
-only been interested in Leif and never brings up racial superiority or a
+seems to have only been interested in Leif and never brings up racial
-disdain for Columbus. In fact, he states that Leif's prior discovery of America
+superiority or a disdain for Columbus. In fact, he states that Leif's prior
-"would dim, by the measure of the faintest Indian-summer haze only, the
+discovery of America "would dim, by the measure of the faintest Indian-summer
-transcendent glory of the life-work of Columbus."[@HorsDisc90, 16] So, while
+haze only, the transcendent glory of the life-work of Columbus."[@HorsDisc90,
-some of the enthusiasm around Horsford's work may have been to diminish
+16] So, while some of the enthusiasm around Horsford's work may have been
-Columbus as an expression of pro-Nordic anti-Italian sentiment, it seems the
+motivated by a desire to diminish Columbus as an expression of pro-Nordic
-man himself was more scientifically motivated.
+anti-Italian sentiment, it seems the man himself was driven by his own
+curiosity in what he saw as little-researched historical possibility.
 
-It was at Shelter island when "a chance reference let fall by one of his
+It was during one of his visits to Shelter island when "a chance reference let
-guests" would introduce Horsford to the legend of Norumbega.[@JackHors92, 344]
+fall by one of his guests" would introduce Horsford to the legend of
-The term seems to have been widely known in New England at the time; both an
+Norumbega.[@JackHors92, 344] The term seems to have been widely known in New
-article from the Worcester Daily Spy in 1875 and one from the Vermont Phoenix
+England at the time; both an article from the Worcester Daily Spy in 1875 and
-in 1894 mention Norumbega in passing, the reader assumed to be familiar.
+one from the Vermont Phoenix in 1894 mention Norumbega in passing, the reader
-Horsford, having grown up in New York, was only introduced to it after his
+assumed to be familiar. Horsford, having grown up in New York, was only
-retirement and became deeply interested He read the accounts of Alafonce and
+introduced to the myth after his retirement and became energetically intrigued.
-Verrazzano, and describes them in one of his books.[@HorsDisc90, 14] In this
+He read the accounts of Alafonce and Verrazzano, and describes them in one of
-same book, *Discovery of the Ancient City of Norumbega*, Horsford mentions the
+his books.[@HorsDisc90, 14] In this same book, *Discovery of the Ancient City
-existence of so many maps that prominently display Norumbega that "one could
+of Norumbega*, Horsford mentions the existence of so many maps that prominently
-not help thinking that they must have some foundation in truth; the alternative
+display Norumbega that "one could not help thinking that they must have some
-[would have] involved too many conspirators, of different
+foundation in truth; the alternative [would have] involved too many
-nationalities."[@HorsDisc90, 13] How Horsford made the connection from
+conspirators, of different nationalities."[@HorsDisc90, 13] How Horsford made
-Norumbega to Leif Erickson is a little less clear, though it was most likely
+the connection from Norumbega to Leif Erickson is a little less clear, though
-etymological. We have seen already Horsford's early interest in Native American
+it was most likely etymological. We have seen already Horsford's early interest
-language from his early years with the Seneca in New York, and it seems he
+in Native American language from his early years with the Seneca in New York,
-thought the name "Norumbega" peculiar. He describes how "many hundreds of years
+and it seems he thought the name "Norumbega" peculiar. He describes how "many
-ago the country we call Norway was called Norbegia or Norbega,"[@HorsDisc90,
+hundreds of years ago the country we call Norway was called Norbegia or
-19] and that in "the Algonquin family of languages, which prevailed throughout
+Norbega,"[@HorsDisc90, 19] and that in "the Algonquin family of languages,
-New England, could not [...] utter the sound of *b* without prefixing to it the
+which prevailed throughout New England, could not [...] utter the sound of *b*
-sound of *m*."[@HorsDisc90, 18] Thus, he reasons, *Norumbega* is but a Native
+without prefixing to it the sound of *m*."[@HorsDisc90, 18] Thus, he reasons,
-American corruption of what the Vikings would have called Norway. Horsford uses
+*Norumbega* is but a Native American corruption of what the Vikings would have
-physical evidence to support his claim as well. He mentions several instances
+called Norway. Horsford uses physical evidence to support his claim as well. He
-where the first settlers of Massachusetts found natural dams or weirs, which
+mentions several instances where the first settlers of Massachusetts found
-could be used for fishing (the fish would be stopped and collect before the
+natural dams or weirs, which could be used for fishing (the fish would be
-weir on their way upstream to spawn.)[@HorsDisc90, 33-34] He also describes
+stopped and collect before the weir on their way upstream to
-walls and other structures on the floor of Boston Harbor and Back Bay, evidence
+spawn).[@HorsDisc90, 33-34] He also describes walls and other structures on the
-of "the ancient seaport of Norumbega."[@HorsDisc90, 37] To Horsford, all this
+floor of Boston Harbor and Back Bay, evidence of "the ancient seaport of
-evidence proved the existence of a great Viking fort of Norumbega, and
+Norumbega."[@HorsDisc90, 37] To Horsford, all this evidence proved the
-necessitated the construction of a monument. We have seen this pattern before;
+existence of a great Viking fort of Norumbega, and necessitated the
-once to the Quakers who found refuge on Shelter Island, and again in Boston to
+construction of a monument. We have seen this pattern before; once to the
-Leif Erickson for discovering America. He justifies the monument in four
+Quakers who found refuge on Shelter Island, and again in Boston to Leif
+Erickson for discovering America. To justify the monument, he gave four
 reasons:
 
 > 1. It will commemorate the Discovery of Vinland and Norumbega in the
@@ -180,16 +187,16 @@ reasons:
 >    at the same time the seat of the earliest colony of Europeans in
 >    America.[@HorsDisc90, 40]
 
-These say much about the man Horsford was. As already seen from his comments on
+These convictions say much about the man Horsford was. As already seen from his
-Columbus, he was not motivated by dislike of the Italians; rather, he sought to
+comments on Columbus, he was not motivated by dislike of the Italians; rather,
-bring "the glory" of Leif's discovery to Massachusetts, his home for the
+he sought to bring "the glory" of Leif's discovery to Massachusetts, his home
-majority of his working life. Second, he is remarkably humble in his theories;
+for the majority of his working life. Second, he is remarkably humble in his
-this is particularly evident in his second point, and to an extent the third.
+theories; this is particularly evident in his second point, and to an extent
-He accepts that "the trustworthiness of my conclusions might be tested by the
+the third. He accepts that "the trustworthiness of my conclusions
-spade,"[@HorsDisc90, 41] and that he had not been able to do much of his own
+might be tested by the spade,"[@HorsDisc90, 41] and that he had not been
-archaeology. Horsford did not build the tower to be himself remembered, rather
+able to do much of his own archaeology. Horsford did not build the tower to be
-to inspire others to continue his work. Indeed, the plaque at the base of the
+himself remembered, rather to inspire others to continue his work. Indeed, the
-tower does not bear his name.
+plaque at the base of the tower does not bear his name.
 
 Eben Norton Horsford would die two years after *The Discovery* was published,
 on January first, 1893.[@AdamsMemBiog08, 103] He believed himself a pioneer; at

bibliography.bib

@@ -171,3 +171,16 @@
     address = {Cambridge, Massachusetts},
     annote = {Primary source; evidence of interest in New England Vikings previous to Horsford.},
 }
+
+@article{LedgeHorz19,
+    author = {Paul M. Ledger and Linus Girdland-Flink and Véronique Forbes},
+    title = {New Horizons at L'Anse aux Meadows},
+    journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences},
+    volume = {116},
+    number = {31},
+    pages = {15341-15343},
+    year = {2019},
+    doi = {10.1073/pnas.1907986116},
+    URL = {https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1907986116},
+    annote = {From peer-reviewed acedemic journal.}
+}