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Moyens d’orientation et de navigation des Vikings, marins accomplis en Atlantique Nord (fin VIIIe–XIe siècles)
De Craecker-Dussart, C. (2019). Moyens d’orientation et de navigation des Vikings, marins accomplis en Atlantique Nord (fin VIIIe–XIe siècles). Le Moyen Âge: bulletin mensuel d'histoire et de philologie 125(3-4): 617-650. https://hdl.handle.net/10.3917/rma.253-254.0617
In: Le Moyen Âge: bulletin mensuel d'histoire et de philologie. De Boeck Université: Bruxelles. ISSN 0027-2841, more
Peer reviewed article  
Author keywords
    Vikings; orientation; navigation; Atlantic; ships
Author  Top 
  • De Craecker-Dussart, C.
Abstract
    Relatively little work has been done on the scientific and technical aspects of the Vikings. Here, we attempt to solve a mystery of ancient navigation: How could the Vikings cross the North Atlantic without maps, written itineraries, or compasses, and reach Northeast America five centuries before Christopher Columbus discovered Central America? We studied the primary and secondary literature on the main instruments suggested: sunstones, sundials, hourg.l.asses, logs, sounding weights, and weather vanes. We were unable to confirm that the first three of these were used, and their employment remains hypothetical. On the other hand, rudimentary dead-reckoning navigation, horizontal navigation, and particularly visual or natural navigation (without the use of instruments), alongside the use of exceptionally well made ships, all offer an explanation for how these sailors - who were daring, but also prudent and experienced - could have performed such a feat.
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