An alternate history idea.
Aug. 30th, 2012 07:54 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gridloreThe Viking settlements in North America were larger and longer lasting than in our world. Give them forty or fifty years before being wiped out.
In my time line, this has two main effects: smallpox is introduced to the Americas nearly five hundred years ahead of schedule, and the secrets of metalworking are learned by the larger tribal nations.
Fast-forward to the early 17th Century. English settlers spreading out from Jamestown encounter "wild" native tribes with tales of the great river kingdoms that lay further to the west. These would be the Mississippian cultures (aka the Mound Builders) who have rebuilt after the early smallpox plagues and now have the same level of residence found in Europeans. They also have iron weapons, a strong centrally organized state, and are not happy with the newcomers at all.
Hijinks ensue.
In my time line, this has two main effects: smallpox is introduced to the Americas nearly five hundred years ahead of schedule, and the secrets of metalworking are learned by the larger tribal nations.
Fast-forward to the early 17th Century. English settlers spreading out from Jamestown encounter "wild" native tribes with tales of the great river kingdoms that lay further to the west. These would be the Mississippian cultures (aka the Mound Builders) who have rebuilt after the early smallpox plagues and now have the same level of residence found in Europeans. They also have iron weapons, a strong centrally organized state, and are not happy with the newcomers at all.
Hijinks ensue.
