European Exploration

Limits of European Exploration

• Europeans did not have the technology to explore the open ocean on long voyages
• Copied and adapted inventions from Arab or Muslim cultures and China

Sailing Technology

• Square shaped sails like the one pictured were good at sailing WITH the wind
• If the wind shifted sailors would have to wait or row to make progress

Caravel

Caravel

• Used a lateen sail or triangular sail
• Could sail much closer to the wind
• Smaller size made maneuvering easier

Stern Post Rudder
Used for steering ship
Copied from China and Islamic Regions

Navigational Technology

Astrolabe

• Used in classical Greece and in Arab or Muslim cultures around the Mediterranean
• Literally means "star taker"
• Used stars to determine a ships latitude

Compass

• Adapted from Chinese inventions dating back to 200 BC
• Used to determine direction

Big Idea

• Portuguese sailors made key improvements for European Exploration
• They borrowed inventions from Classical, Muslim, and Chinese cultures