Accordingly, the lands they discovered were given names of saints, and many of their ships also had names associated with religion. Many of those pioneers learned that it was wise to stay in sight of the coast, remembering and eventually recording memorable points. The tallest points and other notable landmarks were documented, named, and eventually became the sites of ports, giving rise in time to lists of ports and eventually charts and portolani.

Aegean Sea Unknown Artist, 1500 (?) Parchment, 73 x 40.4 cm Bibliothèque nationale de France, Paris