Development of Technology During the Age of Exploration:
A number of technological tools of European, Asian, and Arabic Origins were important in the 15th century explorations. By 1350 the Europeans had perfected the cannon, capable of firing iron or stone balls, which, when mounted on seagoing vessels, was a formidable force. A new sailing vessel, the caravel, replaced the old galleys that relied on rowers for motion. Although slower than the galleys, the caravel relied on wind power and carried a larger cargo increasing the amount of goods that could be transported. The lateen sail, which then supplemented the ancient square sailed widely used in the Mediterranean region gave caravels more maneuverability on the seas. Other inventions used in navigation during the Age of Exploration included the compass, perfected by the Chinese many centuries earlier. The compass pointed north, which was an important means of location for ships travelling east to west. The astrolabe, a tool developed by the Arabs, was also important. It allowed sailors to determine the altitude of the sun and thereby to plot latitude. Improvements in European cartography, or map making, gave navigators more exacted information on distances, sea depth, and geography.