Then of course, in the introduction, it showed the subject stone grown into a tree roots, probably by a hundred years or so. I wonder if that part is true? As they went into the story, I don't recall them pointing that out..an important clue.
Being grown into tree roots by a hundred years or so, means quite a bit, since I doubt many forgers would want to wait a hundred years to pull off such a scheme.
Meanwhile it is not hard to see how explorers could end up in the UP. The highways into the newly discovered (by Europeans) land, was it's waterways. Viewing a map of North America, there is a clear waterway from the Hudson Bay, all the way to the UP as well as many other inland points. Only a portage around Niagara would be required.
If Spain was willing to finance an entire expedition, hopefully around the world, to gain access to spices, why not other powers, seeking precious metals ? We know now, that the Vikings were well aware of the new world, and their settlements were very nearly perched on the Hudson Bay !
