Imagine setting off on a journey hundreds of years ago, long before GPS devices or smartphones existed. Back then, explorers ventured into the unknown with only the stars above and crude drawings to guide them. These weren't just mere drawings; they were the world's first maps, created by ancient civilisations, and they marked the beginning of the captivating history of mapmaking.The story starts with the ancient Babylonians, who over 2,500 years ago, molded simple maps onto clay tablets. These early maps outlined the basic features like hills, valleys, and rivers surrounding their communities. Although not precise by today’s standards, they represented a significant leap in human understanding of the world.As centuries passed, the Greeks and Romans advanced the art of map-making. Among them, Claudius Ptolemy, a Greek scholar around AD 150, made significant strides. Ptolemy crafted a map of the world that detailed over a thousand cities and a complex system of latitude and longitude still in use today. His work later guided the navigators of the Renaissance as they embarked on new voyages of discovery.During the Middle Ages in Europe, maps, known as 'Mappa Mundi' (cloth of the world), were less about geographic accuracy and more about depicting a worldview. The most renowned Mappa Mundi, created in Hereford, England, around 1300, placed Jerusalem at the center and was filled with images of exotic animals, mythical creatures, and biblical scenes.The Age of Exploration, between the 15th and 17th centuries, marked a golden era for cartography, the science of map-making. This period saw European explorers like Christopher Columbus and James Cook navigate across uncharted waters. Maps became invaluable tools for these voyages, showing refined details that helped sailors navigate the vast oceans. They were treasures filled with secrets of new lands and lucrative trade routes, often kept secret by those who commissioned them.By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution and advancements in printing technology made maps more precise and widely accessible. It was during this time that Abraham Ortelius, a Flemish cartographer, produced the first modern atlas in 1570, titled 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum' or Theatre of the World. This atlas collected all known geographical knowledge into one comprehensive book, making it easier for people to study and own maps.The 20th century transformed map-making with the introduction of computers and satellites, ushering in the digital mapping era. Technologies like GPS (Global Positioning System) and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) revolutionized how maps were used and viewed, turning them from static objects into dynamic, real-time updated tools. This digital leap culminated in 2005 with the launch of Google Earth, which merged satellite imagery and detailed maps, allowing people to explore every corner of the planet from their homes.Today, the mapping world is on the brink of another revolution with augmented reality (AR) technologies that promise to overlay real-world views with digital information. Imagine walking through a city and seeing directional arrows over actual roads or historical facts popping up as you gaze at monuments through your phone's camera. This is the potential future of mapping—a blend of reality with digital enhancements that bring a wealth of information to our fingertips.From clay tablets to digital screens, the evolution of maps is a testament to human curiosity and our unending quest to understand and navigate our world. Maps are more than tools for orientation; they are narratives of our history, guides in our present, and gateways to our future. The next time you use your smartphone to find a route or look up a location on Google Earth, remember that you're part of an ongoing journey of discovery, one that stretches back through centuries of adventurers and mapmakers who have all contributed to understanding our world a little better.Ancient innovationsThe earliest known maps are not from Europe or the Middle East, but from ancient Babylonia, around the 9th century BC. These maps were simplistic and primarily focused on conveying information about property boundaries.Not just for landThe first road maps were created by the Romans, who mapped their sprawling network of roads across the Roman Empire. These maps were essential for the movement of troops and goods.A map on a stoneOne of the most intriguing maps from ancient times is the Turin Papyrus Map, dated around 1160 BC, which is considered the oldest topographical map surviving today. It details a stretch of land in Egypt with roads and a detailed depiction of the mountains and rivers.Cartography royaltyThe title of "father of modern cartography" goes to Gerardus Mercator, a 16th-century geographer who created a world map in 1569 that could accurately represent latitude and longitude lines. This "Mercator projection" is still widely used in navigation.A mountainous errorUntil the 19th century, California was often shown as an island on many maps. This persistent error was due to early explorer's reports and was only corrected as the interior of North America became better known.Edible mapsDuring World War II, MI9, a department of the British War Office, produced silk maps that pilots could use for escape routes. These maps were durable, could be easily concealed, and even edible if the situation required.Size mattersThe largest atlas in the world is the "Klencke Atlas" which was presented to Charles II of England and is about 1.75 meters tall (about 5 feet 9 inches) - it's so large that it takes several people to open it!Fake placesTo catch plagiarists, mapmakers sometimes include "trap streets" or fictional places on their maps. If the fake place appears on another map, it’s evident that the cartographer copied the original map’s content.From paper to pixelsToday, digital maps are the most commonly used maps, with platforms like Google Maps and OpenStreetMap providing real-time data and a wide range of features such as street views, traffic conditions, and even underwater topography.A map to the starsNot all maps are of Earth! Astronomers and scientists have created detailed maps of other planets and celestial bodies in our Solar System, helping to guide space missions and enhance our understanding of the universe.
