TED-ED: How did Polynesian wayfinders navigate the Pacific Ocean? - Alan Tamayose and Shantell De Silva

The video explores the ancient Polynesian navigation techniques used to traverse the vast Pacific Ocean. Polynesians relied on natural elements like the sun, stars, and ocean currents to guide their voyages. They built sturdy canoes and involved the community in the process. Navigators used a mental star compass and environmental cues to find direction and detect land. The video highlights the historical context of these voyages and the evidence supporting these methods, including a modern reenactment by the Hokulea canoe.

What natural elements did ancient Polynesians primarily use for navigation?

• Lighthouses and buoys

• GPS and radar

• Sun, moon, stars, and ocean currents

• Compasses and maps

What were some reasons historians believe Polynesians moved from island to island?

• To explore new cultures

• To escape natural disasters

• To find new trade routes

• To avoid overpopulation or due to war

What was a key factor in the success of Polynesian voyages?

• The guidance of European explorers

• The skill of navigators and well-built canoes

• The use of motorboats

• The presence of modern technology

How did Polynesian navigators use the sun to determine direction?

• By following the sun's path across the sky

• By measuring the sun's temperature

• By using the sun's position to indicate East and West

• By observing the sun's reflection on the water

What is a star compass in Polynesian navigation?

• A mental map of star positions

• A guidebook of constellations

• A physical compass used at sea

• A tool for measuring star brightness

How could clouds help Polynesian navigators find land?

• By indicating the direction of the wind

• By reflecting the lagoons of Pacific Atolls

• By showing the time of day

• By predicting weather changes

What modern voyage validated ancient Polynesian navigation techniques?

• The travels of Marco Polo

• The voyage of Hokulea

• The expedition of Lewis and Clark

• The journey of the Mayflower