Tupaia, the navigator of Raiatea

Name: Tupaia, the navigator of Raiatea
Start: 1769
Location: Tahiti and Raiatea, Society Islands

1769 · Tahiti and Raiatea, Society Islands · Oceania · Exploration

A Polynesian drew Cook a map of the Pacific from memory

The priest and navigator Tupaia of Raiatea joined the Endeavour at Tahiti in 1769. From his knowledge a chart was drawn showing dozens of islands across thousands of kilometres, a digest of Polynesian wayfinding. In New Zealand he served as interpreter, since Māori understood his language, and many took him, not Cook, for the expedition's leader. He died in Batavia in 1770.

Wikipedia (English) · 18th century

Meanwhile around the world (±25 years)

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Eastern Europe & Russia

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