Histria antiqua, Vol. 21 No. 21, 2012.
Original scientific paper
Secrets of Medieval Seafaresers
Valentina ZOVKO
orcid.org/0000-0002-3027-4104
; Sveučilište u Zadru Obala kralja Petra Krešimira IV/2 23 000 Zadar, Hrvatska
Abstract
The article analyses the methods which the seafarers in the Early Middle Ages used to orientate in the open sea
before the discovery of modern navigation devices. One of the greatest challenges for them on long sea voyages,
which were undertaken for navigation, resettlement, war campaigns and trade, was establishing the exact geographic
position and plotting the accurate course to the desired destination. In order to overcome these obstacles
they resorted to a number of clever methods: using the position of the sun and navigational stars (Celestial Navigation),
land (Terrestrial Navigation), ocean currents and tides, bird navigation, wind direction and navigation marks.
Although these methods were already known from the ancient times, new features and accomplishments were
added to them in the Early Middle Ages. This paper examines the conditions in which their invention became possible
and the differences in their utilisation with regards to specific natural, geographical, and social circumstances.
Special attention is given to the Arabs and the Chinese due to their exceptional contribution to the development of
navigation and the discovery of the triangular sail and magnetic compass, but also to the maritime achievements of
the Normans in Northern Europe.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
104342
URI
Publication date:
1.8.2012.
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