Final answer:
Fore and aft rigging, which includes the innovation of the lateen sail, was present in the Mediterranean by the first millennium CE, thanks to Arab sailors. By the fifteenth century, its combination with European square sails and other navigational advancements enabled expansive ocean exploration. This led to the design of better ships, notably the caravel, facilitating extended voyages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technological advancements of maritime history have been pivotal in shaping navigation and trade. The fore and aft rigging, a significant advancement in marine technology, was found in the Mediterranean by the time of the lateen sail's use by Arab sailors in the first millennium CE. This triangular sail design provided a crucial ability to travel against the wind. European mariners would eventually adopt this innovation, combining it with their traditional square sails on three-masted ships to revolutionize navigation. By the fifteenth century, the integration of lateen sails and the sternpost rudder—which was introduced to Europe from China—enabled European exploration to advance further into the open seas.
The lateen sail, which was part of the fore and aft rigging system, increased maneuverability of vessels, and alongside other navigational advancements such as the astrolabe and the magnetic compass, it empowered Europeans to venture beyond coastal navigation into the deep ocean. This era of exploration led to the development of improved ships like the caravel, with its larger hulls for storing provisions necessary for long voyages, and its rudder positioned at the stern for better steering. This enhanced design allowed sailors to embark on longer and more daring voyages, such as those past Cape Bojador.