The theory of four spatial dimensions know as “Shadows” has move to http://home.comcast.net/~jeffocal/shadows.htm

For example, many people of the fifteenth century believed the earth was flat, even though they could still see a circular “shadow” of the earth moving across the moon during a lunar eclipse.

However, Christopher Columbus realized this to be an indication that the earth might be spherical.
Sorry... that made me decide that the rest was also probably assumption. (Plus being on Comcast.net)