Polynesian navigation: Did you mean...?

Located at the easternmost point of the Hawaiian Islands, Cape Kumukahi holds a special place in ancient Hawaiian mythology as this was where the gods and goddesses first arrived in the islands from Tahiti. It was here that the fire...

A recreation of the star compass of Polynesian navigator, Mau Piailug (1932-2010 CE), depicted with shells on sand and with Satawalese (Caroline Islands) text labels, as described by the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

The Maori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) have long observed the heliacal (pre-dawn) rising of the star cluster commonly known throughout the world as Pleiades or Messier 45 (M45), located in the constellation of Taurus. Matariki is...

Tattoos are an ancient form of art appearing in various cultures throughout history. One of the earliest (and possibly the oldest) pattern of tattoos in the world was discovered on the frozen remains of the man known as...

The 1789 mutiny on the Bounty is an infamous tale of sailors being lured by the easy charms of the South Seas into casting adrift their commander and living out their days as fugitives from the Royal...

The naming of America was not the result of a single voyage or discovery, but of a chain of Atlantic expeditions, printed letters, and Renaissance mapmaking...

This infographic illustrates the Causes of the American Revolution (1765-1789) rooted in a growing sense of American identity and dissatisfaction with British policies. The colonies, long accustomed to self-governance...

The Periplus Ponti Euxini (“Circumnavigation of the Black Sea”), written by Arrian of Nicomedia (c. 86–after 146 CE), is a major example of Roman geographical and...

One of the most useful skills in early times was to be able to navigate using the stars. With this ability, sailors and explorers were able to venture through their lands and even discover new ones. Here's a little...

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-magellan-circumnavigated-the-globe-ewandro-magalhaes On September 6, 1522, the "Victoria" sailed into harbor in southern Spain. The battered...