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Dampier explored this area of Western Australia and named it Shark Bay because of the "abundance" of sharks in the waters. It is now a World Heritage site.

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Dampier and Shark Bay, Australia

July 2010

A sea monster attacks a wooden ship

Article

The Enchanting Sea Monsters on Medieval Maps

October 2013

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Explore the different cultures of the territory between the Arctic and Pacific oceans. The area is home to over 150,000 Indigenous residents, whose diverse languages and cultures are both a link to history and the foundation for contemporary lives.

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Smithsonian Alaska Native Collections

September 2014

With the sun in its beak, the canoe’s raven figurehead points the way.

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Canoe Figurehead

January 2010

Tlingit paddlers set the canoe in Washington’s Potomac River for its ceremonial launch.

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Canoe Placed in Potomac River

January 2010

Sometimes the raven monitored Chilton’s progress from an overhead perch.

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Raven Keeps Watch over Carver

January 2010

These rattles from British Columbia were used during shamanistic performances.

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Ceremonial Rattles

January 2010

Fish spears and traps placed in rivers are traditional ways of catching salmon.

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Catching Salmon

January 2010

Decorated ceremonial regalia reflect the importance of ocean fish to Native communities.

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Ocean Symbols in Ceremonial Art

January 2010

Members of the Squamish Nation paddle to a 1997 festival celebrating Native canoe arts.

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Celebrating Traditional Canoes

January 2010

Three hundred year old pen and ink drawing of a "strange and large" bat.

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New Guinea Bat

July 2010

This 1890 painting of Charles Darwin is on display at the Turin Museum of Human Anatomy.

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Charles Darwin

February 2015