Geographical exploration: Difference between revisions

{{TAFI}}

'''Exploration''' is the act of [[wikt:search|searching]] for the purpose of discovery of [[information]] or resources. Exploration occurs in all [[Sessility (zoology)|non-sessile]] animal species, including humans. In human [[history]], its most dramatic rise was during the [[Age of Discovery]] when [[European peoples|European]] explorers sailed and charted much of the rest of the world, largely in a pursuit of material wealth. Since then, [[major explorations after the Age of Discovery]] have occurred for reasons mostly aimed at information discovery.

In [[scientific research]], exploration is one of three purposes of empirical research (the other two being description and [[explanation]]). The term is commonly used metaphorically. For example, an individual may speak of exploring the Internet, sexuality, etc.

===Chinese exploration of Central Asia===

During the 2nd century BC, the [[Han dynasty]] explored much of the Eastern Northern Hemisphere. Starting in 139 BC, the Han diplomat [[Zhang Qian]] traveled west in an unsuccessful attempt to secure an alliance with the Da [[Yuezhi]] against the [[Xiongnu]] (the Yuezhi had been evicted from [[Gansu]] by the Xiongnu in 177 BC); however, Zhang's travels revealed entire countries which the Chinese were unaware of, including the [[Hellenistic civilization|remnants of the conquests]] of [[Alexander the Great]] (r. 336–323 BC).{{sfnm|di Cosmo|2002|1pp=247–249|Yü|1986|2p=407|Torday|1997|3p=104|4a1=Morton|4a2=Lewis|4y=2005|4pp=54–55}} When Zhang returned to China in 125 BC, he reported on his visits to [[Dayuan]] ([[Fergana]]), [[Kangju]] ([[Sogdiana]]), and [[Daxia]] ([[Bactria]], formerly the [[Greco-Bactrian Kingdom]] which had just been subjugated by the Da Yuezhi).{{sfn|Torday|1997|pp=105–106}} Zhang described Dayuan and Daxia as agricultural and urban countries like China, and although he did not venture there, described Shendu (the [[Indus River]] valley of [[Northwestern India]]) and Anxi ([[Arsacid Empire|Arsacid]] territories) further west.{{sfn|Torday|1997|pp=108–112}}

From about 800 Ad to 1040 AD, the [[Vikings]] explored Europe and much of the Western Northern Hemisphere via rivers and oceans. For example, it is known that the [[Norway|Norwegian]] [[Viking]] explorer, [[Erik the Red]] (950–1003), sailed to and settled in [[Greenland]] after being expelled from [[Iceland]], while the [[Iceland]]ic explorer [[Leif Ericson]] (980–1020) is believed to be the first [[Europe]]an to land in [[North America]].

Polynesians were a maritime people originally from [[Taiwan]], who populated and explored the central and south Pacific for around 5,000 years, up to about 1280 when they discovered [[New Zealand]]. The key invention to the large exploration was the [[outrigger canoe]], which provided a swift and stable platform for carrying goods and people. Based on limited evidence, it is thought that the voyage to New Zealand was deliberate. It is unknown if one or more boats went to New Zealand or the names of those who migrated. The type of boat used is unknown. 2011 studies at Wairau Bar in New Zealand show a high probability that one origin was Ruahine Island in the [[Society islands]]. Polynesians may have used the prevailing North Easterly winds to reach New Zealand in about three weeks. The Cook Islands are in direct line along the migration path and may have been an intermediate stopping point. There are cultural and language similarities between Cook Islanders and New Zealand [[Māori people|Maori]]. Early Maori had different legends of their origins, but the stories were misunderstood and reinterpreted in confused written accounts by early European historians in New Zealand trying to present a coherent pattern of Maori settlement in New Zealand.

Mathematical modelling based on DNA genome studies, using [[state-of-the-art]] techniques, have shown that a large number of Polynesian migrants (100-200), including women, arrived in New Zealand around the same time, in about 1280. Otago University studies have been actively trying to link distinctive DNA teeth patterns, which show special dietary influence, with places in or nearby the [[Society Islands]].<ref>Otago University. Wairau Bar Studies 2011.Dr L. Matisoo-Smith.2011.</ref>

{{Portal|Geography|History}}

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

{{div col end}}

===Notes===

===Works cited===

* {{citation|last=di Cosmo|first=Nicola|year=2002|title=Ancient China and Its Enemies: The Rise of Nomadic Power in East Asian History|location=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-77064-4}}

* {{citation|last1=Morton|first1=William Scott|last2=Lewis|first2=Charlton M.|year=2005|title=China: Its History and Culture|edition=Fourth edition|location=New York City|publisher=McGraw-Hill|isbn=978-0-07-141279-7}}

* {{citation|last=Torday|first=Laszlo|year=1997|title=Mounted Archers: The Beginnings of Central Asian History|location=Durham|publisher=The Durham Academic Press|isbn=978-1-900838-03-0}}

* {{citation|last=Yü|first=Ying-shih|year=1986|chapter=Han Foreign Relations|title=The Cambridge History of China: Volume I: the Ch'in and Han Empires, 221 B.C.–A.D. 220|pages=377-462|editors=Denis Twitchett and Michael Loewe (eds.)|location=Cambridge|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-24327-8}}

* {{cite book |title=Brazzà, a Life for Africa|last= Petringa|first=Maria|year=2006|publisher= [[AuthorHouse]]|location= Bloomington, IN|isbn=1-4259-1198-6|oclc=74651678}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Exploration}}

[[Category:Exploration]]

[[Category:Historical eras]]