The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this digital guide may include images, sounds, and names of now deceased persons.

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A long thin wooden rod attached to the display with a rope. There is a piece of wood on the rod you can move back and forth. The display reads 'try navigating with the cross-staff.'

Cross Staff

Navigation

The cross-staff was invented in about the 1200s for astronomy.

It was adapted for use at sea in the 1500s, probably after Portuguese navigators saw the kamal being used in the Indian Ocean region.

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Deep Dives

A long thin wooden rod attached to the display with a rope. There is a piece of wood on the rod you can move back and forth. The display reads 'try navigating with the cross-staff.'

The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch

Finding your way in an unknown world - the cross staff

Article

A rectangular wooden block with a rope through the centre. It sits on a display labelled 'try navigating with a kamal.'

The First Explorers- Arab Traders in the Indian Ocean

Finding your way in unknown waters- the kamal

Article

A long thin wooden rod attached to the display with a rope. There is a piece of wood on the rod you can move back and forth. The display reads 'try navigating with the cross-staff.'

The Museum's replica cross staff.
Credit: WA Museum

The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this digital guide may include images, sounds, and names of now deceased persons.