Why did explorers set out to sail across unknown oceans?
The Edge Callers
Why did explorers set out to sail across unknown oceans?
Picture a person standing at the edge of the sea, hundreds of years ago, staring at a horizon that simply ends. Beyond it: nobody knew. No maps, no photos, no friend who'd been there. And yet, again and again, someone climbed into a wooden boat and sailed straight into the not-knowing. Why on earth would anyone do that?
A lot of it, honestly, came down to shopping. Faraway places had treasures Europe craved — especially spices like pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. These weren't just for flavor; they made food exciting, kept it longer, and were worth a small fortune. The catch was that they came from distant lands, passed through many hands, and arrived stupidly expensive.
