Polynesian Wayfinders
This ocean, covering more than 160 million square kilometers, was crossed by Polynesian navigators without modern tools.
What is the Pacific Ocean?
This rugged northern region, known for forests, fjords, and mountains, was the homeland of the Vikings.
What is Scandinavia?
Polynesian voyages relied on this type of double-hulled canoe powered by sails.
What is a wa‘a kaulua?
This boat-building technique, also called “lapstrake,” involved overlapping wooden planks along their edges.
What is clinker construction?
This mental “map” divided the sky into quadrants and 32 houses to guide nighttime navigation.
What is the star compass?
After serving in their armies, some Scandinavians brought home this empire’s maritime technology.
What is the Roman Empire?
South of the Equator, navigators used this constellation, also called Newe, to help locate south.
What is the Southern Cross?
Replacing loose paddles with these anchored devices greatly improved Viking rowing efficiency.
What are oars?
With a flight range of about 190 kilometers, this seabird could be followed to find nearby land.
What is the manu-o-ku?
Thanks to their advanced longships, the Vikings explored this continent centuries before other Europeans.
What is North America?