Ancient Romans landed in America in eerie discovery that will 'change history'

They say the find will "re-write history" as it reveals ancient mariners visited the New World well before the great explorer. A Roman sword, a legionnaire's whistle, Gold Carthage coins, part of a Roman shield and a Roman head sculpture were found on an island in Canada.

Lead historian Jovan Hutton Pulitzer believes the haul is firm evidence the great empire landed there first and is the "single most important discovery" ever for the Americas. It remains unclear how ancient Romans could have made the epic journey across the Atlantic Ocean but, according to the Ancient Artifact Preservation Society (AAPS), the haul was discovered in a shipwreck off Oak Island on the south shore of Nova Scotia, Canada. Mr Pulitzer said: "The ceremonial sword is 100 per cent confirmed as Roman. "I began my forensic work into it using an XRF analyser - which is a leading archaeological tool for analysing metals. "And we found all these other metals that tell you this was made from ore that came directly from the ground. "It has the same arsenic and lead signature in it. We've been able to test this sword against another one like it and it matches."


IG A Roman sword, a legionnaire's whistle, Gold Carthage coins and a Roman shield were found

GETTY Are these Roman soldiers?

Mr Pulitzer insists that the shipwreck from which the sword was recovered years ago is "beyond a shadow of a doubt Roman." He said: "We have scanned it, we know exactly where it lays, but it will be a touchy thing for the Canadian Government to allow an archaeological team to survey it. "I think this is the single most important discovery for the Americas - an event that will re-write history. "This is a gunshot to be heard around the world. It changes all of our history." The shipwreck lies near the infamous 'Money Pit' - a 230ft booby-trapped shaft which is thought to contain valuable artefacts.


IG It remains unclear how ancient Romans could have made the epic journey across the Atlantic Ocean

HALIFAX Gold Carthage coins were found in Canada

Pulitzer's team also discovered ancient burial mounds in shallow water on the island dating back to less than two centuries after Christ. Professor James Scherz, from the University of Wisconsin, said: "These mounds are consistent with ancient European and Levant burial mounds, not native American. "I am in agreement the underwater mounds being of a foreign ancient mariner style and not native to Nova Scotia or traditional North American. "These mounds, in looking at the known ocean levels for the area, give a possible date of occurring between 1500BC and 180AD." As well as the graves, the experts also uncovered carved stones on Oak Island that "possess a language from the ancient Levant". Another clue, in his report, is the presence of an invasive species of plant which was once used by Romans.

GETTY As well as the graves, the experts also uncovered carved stones on Oak Island

Mr Pulitzer said: "There are also 50 words in the native M'kmaq language. "These are ancient nautical sailing terms used by ancient mariners from Roman times - but they were not a seafaring culture. "Another very interesting 'coincidence' is a bush on Oak Island and one on the mainland which is listed in Canada as an invasive species called Berberis Vulgaris. "This was used by ancient mariners, including Romans, to season their food and fight scurvy. "It grows in Oak Island and across the way in Halifax. All these things, signs and symbols add up to more than just coincidence."