Antique Print, Constellations. Southern Hemisphere, 1881

In Ancient times it was believed that the surface of the heavens were covered over with the outlines of men and animals so that each figure represented a group of stars.The ancient Polynesians navigated hundreds of thousands of miles of the Pacific Ocean using a combination of celestial navigation and piloting. Polynesians were familiar with constellations in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. Stars were used to navigate before other means became available.
This hand coloured illustration of the Southern Hemisphere is from the "National Encyclopaedia" New Edition.Published by William Mackenzie, 1881.

Size 16.5 x 24 cm. Condition Good.