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  2. An Age of Exploration, 1400–1600

The Impact of Exploration

The Age of Exploration had far-reaching effects on the lives of people across the world. The cultural exchange at this time, shown particularly by the Delftware vase and copy of the Codex Mendoza, allowed Europeans to study the cultures of the newly contacted peoples. This period also saw the foundation of the first colonies beyond Europe. While this led to great benefits for the colonisers, as shown by the spices, the Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies exposes how foreign peoples were exploited and massacred for the benefit of Europe.
 

Bartolomé de las Casas, A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies (Frankfurt, 1598)
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Thomas Hariot, A briefe and true report of the new found land of Virginia (Amsterdam, 1590)
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Ceramic vessels, terrapin whistle and greenstone amulets, the Bay Islands, Cocal Period (1000–1530 AD)
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Samuel Puchas, Purchas his pilgrimes, vol. 3 (London, 1625)
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Delftware Vase, Netherlands, tin-glazed earthenware with underglaze blue decoration (c. 1680)
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John Gerard, The herball or Generall historie of plantes (London, 1597)
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