European exploration - Age of Discovery, Voyages, Expansion: In the 100 years from the mid-15th to the mid-16th century, a combination of circumstances stimulated men to seek new routes, and it was new routes rather than new lands that filled the minds of kings and commoners, scholars and seamen.

The era known as the Age of Exploration, sometimes called the Age of Discovery, officially began in the early 15th century and lasted through the 17th century. The period is characterized as a time when Europeans began exploring the world by sea in search of new trading routes, wealth, and knowledge.

Learn about the period in European history when overseas exploration began to grow in popularity, from the late 1400’s to the 1700’s. Discover how this era influenced globalization, colonialism, trade, and culture, and what were the main discoveries and impacts of the Age of Exploration.

Learn about the artistic, scientific, and cultural encounters between Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Explore the Museum's collection of objects related to navigation, astronomy, and anatomy.

Learn about the history and motives of European exploration of the Old World and the New World from ancient times to the 15th century. Explore maps, images, and articles on the Age of Discovery and its impact on global geography and culture.

The so-called Age of Exploration was a period from the early 15th century and continuing into the early 17th century, during which European ships were traveled around the world to search for new trading routes and partners to feed burgeoning capitalism in Europe.

Spain and Portugal led the European Age of Discovery, an era lasting from roughly 1450-1750, in technological advances, exploration, and colonization.

Learn about the types of ships and tools that European sailors used to travel and colonize the world between the 15th and 17th centuries. See examples of caravels, carracks, galleons, cannons, traverse boards, backstaffs and astrolabes.

The explorer Christopher Columbus made four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502. His most famous was his first voyage, commanding the ships the Nina,...