Sunday 19 May 2013

Voyages Across the Ocean, National Geographic Education, PYTHEAS



Looking for information about Pytheas, I found this useful website.

Click on Start Geo-Story

http://education.nationalgeographic.co.uk/media/richmedia/0/196/project/geo-story-voyagesacrossocean.html

"The Greek explorer Pytheas of Massalia (present-day Marseilles, France) probably circumnavigated the British Isles between 310 and 306 BCE. He was the first European to accomplish this voyage. From the Straits of Gibraltar, Pytheas sailed into the Atlantic Ocean and eventually through the English Channel. From Cornwall, on Great Britain's southwestern tip, he led his expedition through the Irish Sea, which separates the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. He then sailed to the northernmost tip of Scotland and the "Island of Thule," six days away. The "Island of Thule" is likely to be present-day Trondheim, Norway, but its exact location is debated. Pytheas then journeyed back to Great Britain, completing the circumnavigation. He then ventured across the North Sea to the North Frisian and Heligoland islands (now both a part of Germany). Having traveled at least 12,070 kilometers (7,500 miles), Pytheas is also recognized for recording the connection between the moon and tides".
Henry Kendall, Pytheas

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