What are some of the oldest known maps in history?

Historical Maps And Cartography Questions Medium



80 Short 80 Medium 80 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What are some of the oldest known maps in history?

Some of the oldest known maps in history include:

1. Babylonian Map of the World (c. 600 BCE): This clay tablet map from ancient Mesopotamia is considered one of the earliest known world maps. It depicts the world as a flat disk surrounded by water, with Babylon at its center.

2. Ptolemaic Maps (2nd century CE): Created by the Greek geographer Claudius Ptolemy, these maps were based on his book "Geographia." They were highly influential and depicted the world as a spherical shape, with latitude and longitude lines.

3. Tabula Rogeriana (1154 CE): Created by the Arab geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi for King Roger II of Sicily, this map was considered one of the most accurate and detailed maps of the medieval period. It combined knowledge from various cultures and depicted the world as a circular shape.

4. Mappa Mundi (13th century): These medieval European maps were often created on large sheets of parchment and depicted the world from a Christian perspective. They included religious symbolism, biblical events, and mythical creatures.

5. Kangnido Map (1402 CE): Created in Korea, this map is one of the oldest surviving world maps from East Asia. It shows the world as a circular shape and includes detailed representations of various regions, including China, Japan, and India.

These maps provide valuable insights into the geographical knowledge and cultural perspectives of different civilizations throughout history.