Final answer:
The text suggests that Vikings probably chanced upon the New World first, with archaeological evidence supporting their presence. Therefor, Correct option is A. Vikings.
Step-by-step explanation:
A. Vikings. Historically, Norse Viking explorer Leif Erikson is believed to have reached North America around the 11th century, long before the more well-known voyages of Christopher Columbus. While Columbus is often associated with the discovery of the Americas, it's important to recognize that indigenous peoples, commonly referred to as Natives, were already present in the Americas for thousands of years before any European arrival. The term "chanced upon" can be somewhat misleading, as it may downplay the complex history of human migration and settlement in the Americas.