Stick charts (*rebbelib* and *mattang*) from the Marshall Islands represent a highly sophisticated system of navigation. How were these charts primarily used by Micronesian navigators?
- They were studied on land prior to a voyage to memorize wave and swell patterns, rather than being carried on board.Answer
- BThey were mounted on the bow of the canoe to serve as active, real-time navigation instruments during a voyage.
- CThey functioned as literal, scaled topographic maps of the ocean floor and islands to plot exact geographic coordinates.
- DThey were used primarily by women during communal exchanges to record trade agreements between different islands.
Answer
They were studied on land prior to a voyage to memorize wave and swell patterns, rather than being carried on board.
The correct option is correct because stick charts were created from materials like sticks and shells to represent swell patterns and relative island positions. Navigators studied these charts on land prior to a voyage to commit the complex patterns of wave interference to memory. Because the navigators relied on their internal mental maps and the physical sensations of the ocean, the actual stick charts were not taken on board the canoes.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The functional and conceptual nature of Marshall Islands stick charts as land-based mnemonic aids rather than literal or active shipboard maps.
Estimated Time:45s