5 Questions
What was the primary method used by Polynesian navigators for determining direction during their voyages?
Celestial navigation using the Sun, Moon, and stars
Approximately when did the Polynesian voyages across the Pacific Ocean begin?
Around 1500 B.C.
Which of the following was NOT a key factor contributing to the success of Polynesian voyages?
Advanced satellite communication technology
What technique did Polynesian navigators use to determine east-west direction during their voyages?
Observing the Sun's position in the sky
What modern event provided evidence of Polynesian navigation techniques?
The voyage of the Hokulea in 2017
Study Notes
- Polynesian navigators undertook voyages across the Pacific Ocean using traditional navigation methods without modern aids, such as the Sun, Moon, stars, ocean currents, and clouds.
- Voyages began around 1500 B.C. as Polynesians settled a vast area of islands in the Pacific, spanning over 40 million square kilometers.
- Key factors for successful voyages included well-built double-hulled canoes, skilled navigators, and an understanding of weather patterns.
- Navigators used various techniques for navigation, such as observing the Sun for east-west direction, using a star compass for night navigation, and interpreting cloud formations as indicators of land.
- Evidence of Polynesian navigation techniques comes from petroglyphs, European explorers' accounts, oral traditions, and modern voyages like that of the Hokulea in 2017.
Test your knowledge on the traditional navigation methods used by Polynesian navigators to undertake voyages across the Pacific Ocean. Learn about the key factors for successful voyages, navigation techniques involving the Sun, stars, and clouds, and the evidence supporting Polynesian navigation practices.
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