Humans have been making maps for thousands of years, and the history of maps can be traced back to ancient cave paintings, etchings on tusks and stone, etc. Here is a list of the oldest maps in the world. You may be surprised at the materials and locations we’ve uncovered!
1. Ptolemy’s Geography
Composed in the second century AD, Ptolemy’s Geography is the earliest known scientific map of the world and is considered one of the most significant maps in history. Ptolemy’s map had a lasting impact on geography due to its astonishingly accurate representation of the world at that time, its detailed geographical features, and its accurate measurements of longitude and latitude. Even today, his work is a stunning achievement in cartography.
2. Strabo’s Map
Since 20 BCE, Strabo’s map was widely used by Greek philosopher and geographer Strabo, who is mostly known for his encyclopedia “Geographica”. The map was deemed remarkable due to his variety of sources which included travelers, explorers, merchants, and surprisingly, slavers and slaves. The most amazing thing about the map was its depiction of the northern and southern hemispheres, the Mediterranean Sea, the coastlines, and the customs and traditions of different lands.
3. The Eratosthenes Map
The Eratosthenes map was made by the father of geography, Eratosthenes, who was credited with inventing the discipline and its terminology. During his time as chief librarian at the great Library of Alexandria between 276 – 195 BCE, he wrote a 3 volume work called Geography. He described and mapped the known world and divided the world into five climate zones incorporating information from Alexander the Great and his successors to make the map.
4. The Hecataeus Map
Hecataeus of Miletus was the first known Greek historian and geographer. Inspired by Anaximander’s work, Hecataeus mapped the known world. They wrote a book called the “Periodos Ges” or “Journey Around the Earth”, where he described the known geography of Europe, Asia, and Africa at that time. In addition to the detailed lands, he also included information about the people and places a person would encounter if they followed the map.
5. Anaximander’s Map
Anaximander’s Map was made between 610- 546 BCE by the great pre-Socratic philosopher Anaximander, and it was known as the First World Map. Unlike other maps which featured towns, villages, and other geological features, Anaximander chose to show all inhabited lands known to the Greeks. In that way, his map was the first known world map. Unfortunately, no copy of the map exists today. However, there are still records that describe in detail what the map depicted, including Europe, Asia, Libya, the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Nile, Lake Maeotis, and Phasis (Now called Rioni).
6. The Babylonian Map of the World (Imago Mundi)
The Babylonian map of the world is considered the oldest world map in existence, as the map depicted all of the known world at that time. The map is circular and features two outer defined circles. The center of the map shows the Euphrates River flowing from north to south, and the city of Babylon is shown along the river. Other cities on the map include Uratu, Susa, Assyria, and Habban.
7. Turin Papyrus Map
Created in 1160 BCE by the Egyptian scribe, Amennakhte, the Turin Papyrus map is widely considered the oldest existing topographical map from the ancient world. The map was prepared for Ramesses IV, who wanted to mine Bekhen stone in a particular area to build mega statues of himself. In addition to being the oldest topographical map and the earliest known geographical map because it showed the local distribution of different rock types.
8. Abauntz Rock Map
Created in 14,000 BCE, the map was engraved into a hand-sized rock found in the Abauntz cave in the Navarre region of Spain and is believed to be the oldest map in Western Europe. The rock was initially discovered in 1994, but it took researchers 15 years to decipher the meaning of the etched lines. According to the researchers, the lines were a simple map of the cave and the surrounding area.
9. Lascaux Cave Star Map
The pre-historic paintings found in Lascaux’s cave were some of the most beautiful and well-known pieces of art left by our ancestors. There are thousands of figures of animals, humans, and abstract signs in the paintings, and many interpretations of what the paintings represent have been presented over the years. One of the theories presented was that some unknown figures in the paintings are pre-historic star maps. According to some of the researchers, the tiny dots in the paintings, known as the Shaft of the Dead Man, corresponds with constellations such as Taurus, the Pleiades, and the Summer Triangle.
10. Mammoth Tusk map
The mammoth tusk map from the village of Pavlov in the Czech Republic is believed to be the oldest map in the world, dating from 25,000 BCE. While archaeologists aren’t completely sure, the markings on the tusk may have depicted the landscape of Pavlov at that time. The map depicted hills, rivers, and paths which were represented by curved markings and double circles. Currently, the map rests at the Archaeological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.
Well, there you have it; the 10 oldest maps in the world. What do you think? Are we missing any famous old maps you’ve learned about or had a chance to see? Let us know in the comments!
Who is one actress you can never stand watching, no matter their role? After polling the internet, these were the top-voted actresses that people couldn’t stand watching.
10 Actresses People Despise Watching Regardless of Their Role
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
We’ve all heard the famous adage that “no publicity is bad publicity,” and while it tends to be accurate, there are certainly exceptions. But what about those few stars who stay out of the limelight and get along without a hint of trouble?
These 7 Celebrities are Genuinely Good People
Have you ever known someone and thought you liked them—until you learned about their hobbies? Then you get to know them and then you’re like, “Wow, red flag.” Well, you’re not alone.
These 10 Activities Are an Immediate Red Flag
Some celebrities definitely seem to enjoy the limelight and keep working to stay in the public eye. While others quickly move out of the spotlight. Many of these actors and actresses stepped out of the spotlight to live a more private life without constant media pressures.
10 Celebrities That Made the Big Times Then Disappeared Off The Face of the Earth
We’ve all been there – sitting through a movie that we can’t help but cringe at, but somehow it still manages to hold a special place in our hearts.
These 10 Terrible Movies Are Still People’s Favorites
About the Author
Source: financequickfix.com