Mapping Before Modern Geography
Ancient humans mapped their world long before satellites or compasses. Early maps were symbolic as well as practical, blending geography, cosmology, and religion.
Babylonian World Maps
One of the oldest known maps, the Babylonian Map of the World, depicts Mesopotamia at the center, surrounded by water and mythical regions. This map reflects how geography and belief were inseparable.
Celestial Maps and Sky Charts
Ancient cultures mapped the heavens as carefully as the earth. Star charts from Egypt, China, and Mesopotamia guided agriculture, navigation, and religious rituals.
Prehistoric Petroglyph Maps
Rock carvings found in Europe, Africa, and Asia may represent rivers, hunting grounds, or seasonal routes. These early maps relied on memory and shared knowledge rather than scale accuracy.
Maps as Power and Knowledge
Controlling geographic knowledge meant controlling trade, warfare, and exploration. Ancient maps were tools of authority, teaching people not just where they lived—but how they understood the universe.
