The Age of Discovery, also known as the Age of Exploration and the Great Navigations, was a period in history starting in the early 15th century and continuing into the early 17th century during which Europeans engaged in intensive exploration of the world, establishing direct contacts with Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania and mapping the planet. Historians often refer to the 'Age of Discovery' as the pioneer Portuguese and Spanish long-distance maritime travels in search of alternative trade routes to "the Indies", moved by the trade of gold, silver and spices.

The Age of Discovery can be seen as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern era, along with its contemporary Renaissance movement, triggering the early modern period and the rise of European nation-states. Accounts from distant lands and maps spread with the help of the new printing press fed the rise of humanism and worldly curiosity, ushering in a new age of scientific and intellectual inquiry. European overseas expansion led to the rise of colonial empires, with the contact between the Old and New Worlds producing the Columbian Exchange: a wide transfer of plants, animals, foods, human populations (including slaves), communicable diseases, and culture between the Eastern and Western hemispheres, in one of the most significant global events concerning ecology, agriculture, and culture in history. European exploration allowed the global mapping of the world, resulting in a new world-view and distant civilizations acknowledging each other, reaching the most remote boundaries much later.

Noun

discovery (countable and uncountable; plural discoveries)

1. Something discovered.

   This latest discovery should eventually lead to much better treatments for disease.

2. (uncountable) The discovering of new things.

   The purpose of the voyage was discovery.

3. (law, uncountable) A pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.

   The prosecution moved to suppress certain items turned up during discovery.

4. (law, uncountable) Materials revealed to the opposing party during the pre-trial phase in which evidence is gathered.

   The defense argued that the plaintiff's discovery was inadequate.

• discover verb
• discoverer noun

• Explorers@ (125)

• Kids: School Time: Social Studies: History: By Region: Europe: Reformation (3)

• European Voyages of Exploration
  ucalgary.ca
  [ ] - Richly illustrated site looks at the factors that contributed to 15th and 16th century exploration and the individuals, as well as the roles Spain and Portugal.
• The Conquistadors
  pbs.org
  [ ] - Online learning adventure retraces the footsteps of four Spanish explorers. From PBS.
• The Age Of Discovery
  bry-backmanor.org
  [ ] - Shareware Hypercard stack designed to introduce young children to the era.