It takes two tools to know the size of the earth: plumb lines, and rulers.
All known and in use well before Columbus.
Columbus, for whatever reason, was argueing for a faulty number that would put India closer and justify his expedition.
Without Columbuses erroneous calculations India was beyond sailing range to the west with the vessels of the day.
The academic question was not one of flat vs round but one of how far. Columbus, was WRONG.
One other thing to remember with history is that it is full of humans.
Some instances "science" is fairly trustworthy, others, not so much.
Because of where they got their funding and resources the scientists of Galileo's day created models confirming the purposes of those in power.
As then, so today, and so tommorrow.
We'll be just as laughable to future generations as Galileo's is to us.
