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Question

Difficulty: EasyNavigation and Cartography

In the traditional stick charts created by navigators in the Marshall Islands, what do the small shells attached to the wooden sticks represent?

  1. Islands or atolls in the regionAnswer
  2. B
    Star constellations used for nighttime alignment
  3. C
    Crest heights of waves during storms
  4. D
    Safe channels through coral reefs

Answer

Islands or atolls in the region
The correct answer is correct because cowrie shells or small pebbles on Marshallese stick charts represent the locations of islands or atolls, while the wooden sticks represent the ocean swell and wave patterns.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the components of Marshallese stick charts, distinguishing between the wooden sticks and the attached shells.
The wooden sticks represent the ocean swell patterns and wave refractions, while the shells represent physical land masses.
To correctly associate each material in the stick chart with its symbolic function.
2
Select the option that correctly identifies the representation of the shells as land masses.
The shells represent islands or atolls.
This directly addresses the question about the meaning of the small shells.

Key Concept

Symbolism of Marshallese stick chart components
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Navigation and Cartography

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