01:460:120 Lecture 3: Lecture 3 - Brief History
15 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
Seafaring developed as a way to maximize access to resources and new land to inhabit. The ocean did not prevent the spread of humanity - in fact, it aided. The polynesians were among the world"s greatest navigators. The first global exploratory expeditions were by the chinese beginning in 1405. Expeditions of captain james cook were first to apply the principles of scientific investigations to ocean. Voyage of hms challenger (1872-1876) was first expedition devoted solely to research. Today, oceanographic research and education is guided by academic, private, and government institutions. Egyptians (2500 bce: shipborne commerce, but mainly on nile river. 1200 bce: first to move around the mediterranean sea in ships, purpose was for trading, ended around 1200 bce when civilization destroyed by earthquakes and political instability. Phoenicians (1300 - 800 bce: replaced the cretans to become master sea traders, skilled sailors who took their ware beyond the mediterranean, as far as britain, west coast of africa.
