History of Cartography: From Babylon to Ancient Maps
The Origins of Mapping and the Human Need to Understand Space The word cartography — the science and art of mapmaking — entered the English language only in the nineteenth century, derived from the Latin carta, meaning map. Yet the practice itself is far older than written language, emerging from humanity’s fundamental desire to represent […]
Ancient Maps: Windows into Early Worldviews
Maps are more than mere tools for navigation—they are windows into how ancient civilizations perceived the world, blending geography, mythology, and political knowledge. From Babylon to the Ottoman Empire, these early cartographic artifacts reveal humanity’s enduring fascination with charting the unknown. Imago Mundi: The Babylon Map of the World (British Museum, UK) Known as the […]
