Marshall Islands Sailing Charts

Have you ever wondered how people used to navigate around the ocean without getting caught in currents or stuck on other islands? They did not have the detailed sailing charts outlining currents and land formations that we do now. I am always amazed at the ingenuity of people, and what they can come up with using the materials at their disposal. These images, though they may look like abstract art, are actually early sailing charts of the Marshall Islands in the South Pacific.The charts were made of sticks and shells, the shells representing other islands, and the curved sticks representing the current as it bends around the islands. They were held in place using palm fibers to tie the intersections. These maps were memorized by the Marshal Islanders before voyages, and were not brought along on the trip. This style of sailing charts were used by the Islanders up through the middle of the nineteenth century. It is incredible to see the detail and information that people could track and record, without the modern technology that we have now. It is also interesting to notice how the complexity of the ocean with its many currents and islands, actually make up some pretty cool patterns and images. There really is order, art, and beauty everywhere. More information on the Marshal Island sailing charts here.