DO NOW…YES, NOW!

Write a diary entry from the point of view of an explorer on the first day of his voyage. Be creative-discuss things such as your motives, what it feels like leaving your family, your nerves, etc.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCESThe Age of Exploration

ASTROLABE

Greek “astro”-star and “labio”-finder Used to plot the position of the sun,

moon, and stars in relation to a given apoint

Allowed an explorer to determine: the time of day the latitude of his ship’s position

COMPASS

Used to determine direction

Allowed explorers to navigate seas in any weather conditions

Needle always points north

Showers user the direction of movement

Map of the World (pre-1492) Inaccurate

Did not show North or South America Atlantic Ocean: much smaller than

actual size Accurate: Earth as a

sphere

CANNONS

Bronze Fired cast-iron balls Loaded from muzzle (open end) Powder poured into barrel Rammed into a tight mass with a

ramrod Ball rammed in over mass of powder Powder ignited through opening in

breech (opposite end of muzzle)

CARAVEL

Light, fast sailing ship Steered with rudder at stern Lateen sails

Triangular Catch wind from any direction

WOODEN BARREL

Store drinking water, food, and supplies

Made of staves bound with iron or wooden hoops

Staves bowed to make barrels wider in middle

Allowed barrels to expand as filled with goods

HORSES

Brought by Spaniards at end of 1400s

Prevent broken legs on voyage: Elaborate swings to

prevent hooves from touching ship’s deck