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Wolfgang K�berer wrote:

> Still I am surprised that the information about Polynesian (and Micronesian,
> I suppose) navigation is apparently presented as something new. In fact
> navigation of the island populations of the Pacific has been studied since
> the late 19th century.

It's not so much that it's new as that it's not mainstream.  Lots of 
folks study things in obscure corners without getting much attention.

Personally, I don't find it amazing that Polynesians could do these 
things - they are, after all, just as smart as any Europeans (or other 
group).

I'm educated as a civil engineer and I am always amazed when I see 
photos or videos of Gothic cathedrals in Europe.  Hundreds of years 
before any reasonable kind of theory of elasticity or solid mechanics or 
strength of materials were formally written down, those architects built 
huge, towering, light structures that stand for almost a millennium.  I 
don't know how they figured it out, but they were not just lucky - they 
were smart.  One of these days I'm going to go see and touch them for 
myself.  I should brush up on my Latin so I can dig into libraries and 
museums for the plans and design documents (what very little survives). 
  If we think we know more than others, it's a conceit.

Mike


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