The Enigma of the Madeira Islands: Why It Took Nearly 2000 Years to Colonize an Island Once Known in Ancient Times

For centuries, the existence of the Madeira Islands was known to ancient civilizations. However, it is surprisingly late that these islands received permanent human habitation. If the Madeira Islands were indeed known to exist by 600 BC, why did it take nearly 2000 more years for them to be colonized?

Historical References and Archaeological Evidence

Several classical histories mention an island or islands off the coast of northern Africa. Yet, scholars cannot definitively link these historical references to the Madeira Islands. Archaeological evidence of early human habitation is scarce and still under study. The earliest known evidence suggests that Norse Vikings might have visited the islands around 900 AD. The next historical visit was in the 1300s, with Portugal taking the lead in settling the islands during the early 1400s.

It is quite possible that various sailors saw the Madeira Islands or even stopped there in antiquity. Nevertheless, they left no traces to indicate their visits.

Challenges to Navigation and Colonization

The islands were not inhabited by people until the Portuguese discovered it in 1420. Navigation and sailing technology were crucial factors in why colonization took so long.

Until the late 15th and early 16th centuries, sailors were limited to sailing with the wind due to the basic design of their ships and sails. This challenged any attempts at exploring or settling distant lands.

In the Atlantic region off Morocco, both the northeast tradewinds and the Canary Current flow from the northeast to the southwest. In the classical period, sails were believed to work by catching the wind, leading navigators to need the wind to blow in the desired direction. Once at sea, they could only continue to sail in the direction of the wind. This is famously illustrated by the tale of Odysseus, who was caught in a north-easterly wind and had to sail all the way to Libya before the wind changed.

Proper navigation to return along a path taken would have been impossible without the ability to sail into the wind, which could only be achieved after the sail technology was improved.

Advancements in Sailing Technology and Its Impact

The modern sailing techniques we know today began in the Indian Ocean. Instead of setting sails at right angles to the wind, sailors learned to angle the sails so that the wind initially hits the leading edge of the sail and is redirected, providing thrust in any direction except within about 45 degrees of the wind. Interestingly, one gains more thrust sailing with the wind at your back than directly into the wind! Racing yachts can even sail faster than the wind itself.

Vikings may have acquired this advanced sailing technique from their extensive trade with the Muslim world, and they used it to sail optimally to any desired destination. This technology was perfected by the Dutch and used by the Royal Navy, sailing around the Spanish Armada while firing cannons beyond their range.

Prince Henry the Navigator realized that by exploiting the ability to sail into the wind, one could sail due north from any point along the African coast, encounter westerly winds in mid-latitudes, and thus return home safely, making the islands of Madeira valuable safe harbors.

Columbus made use of this technique when returning from his first voyage, aligning his journey to take advantage of favorable winds and currents.

Conclusion

The late colonization of the Madeira Islands can be attributed to the limitations of early navigation and sailing technology. With advancements in sail design and navigation techniques, these challenges were overcome, paving the way for exploration and human settlement.