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Here’s to accidental discoveries, and the discovery of Australia

October 31, 2016 Ticia 6 Comments

Have you ever thought about the number of things we take for granted that are discovered by accident?  Christopher Columbus discovered an entire continent by accident.  Penicillin was discovered by accident.  Much like these other incidents, Australia was discovered by accident when looking for something else.

discovery of Australia lesson

supplies for our discovery of Australia

maps you can write on(learn how I made my wall maps), row boat like from this Lego Junior Pirate set*, a few guys or so (like the Lego education fantasy and historical figures set* or Lego Pirates Chess set*, watch for the price to go lower, I got it for under $40), and Mystery of History 3*, Wondermaps*

 

Discovery of Australia lesson

 

discovery of Australia Solomon's gold

While the Europeans had given up on the idea of finding Prestor John, there was still one legend they had not yet disproved.  They believed somewhere was all of King Solomon’s gold.  If you read the Bible and learn about King Solomon you learn he had a lot of money.  Before you start thinking the Europeans of 1600 were foolish, think about our legends.

We watch movies like National Treasure* that say the Masons got all of King Solomon’s gold during the Crusades, and it’s hidden in the United States.  The Librarian* movies also has a bit about King Solomon’s gold.  It’s a popular legend, so I don’t really blame them for thinking you can find some of his gold somewhere.

discovery of Australia

Well, Willem Janszoon set out to find Solomon’s gold.  He sailed East around Africa and set out to find the large island rumored to be South of Indonesia.

discovery of Australia

And then disaster struck as a giant monster crossed the world disrupting everything.  Or I made a mistake and did this lesson on the floor and my dog walked across the maps.  You decide which is more likely.

discovery of Australia

Janszoon turned South and ran into the Gulf of Carpentaria.  Then he turned and hit Cape York.

discovery of Australia meeting the natives

Well, if you’re an explorer and you find a brand new land mass to explore, what would you do?  That’s right land that boat.  But, the natives he met were hostile, and in this encounter he had 10 men die.  To make it worse the land was swampy, and there was no sign of Solomon’s gold.

discovery of Australia lesson

Obviously Janszoon was in the wrong spot, there was no sign of King Solomon’s gold.  So he headed up the coast of Australia and wandered about there charting and mapping it.

 

Interestingly enough, the first permanent European colony doesn’t happen for over 100 years, and that’s the Botany Bay.  I have to admit I’m curious why that is.  Do you know why?

history Age of Exploration, australia, Europe, lego history, Mystery of History 3

Comments

  1. Claire Stewart says

    October 31, 2016 at 5:49 am

    Oh my! I love your lego and maps! What a great way to school!

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      October 31, 2016 at 7:29 am

      Awww, thanks.

  2. maryanne says

    November 1, 2016 at 12:06 am

    It is so much easier to find things you aren’t looking for!

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      November 3, 2016 at 5:35 pm

      Yes! This afternoon Princess was looking for a missing textbook, but she was able to find her missing wallet, that she wasn’t looking for at that moment….

  3. Natalie PlanetSmartyPants says

    November 2, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    I actually had no idea who discovered Australia until I read your post!

    Reply
    • Ticia says

      November 3, 2016 at 5:35 pm

      It’s not a super common story we tell, so I don’t think a lot of people remember who it is. We tend to remember the story of Botany Bay.

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Ticia Adventures in Mommydom Hi, I'm Ticia! This is the adventures of my family in life and learning. Follow along with us as we share our adventures. We're having a lot of fun and learning as we go.

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