The earliest archaeological maps began as cave paintings, and slowly evolved during theAge of Discovery.
Who was Abraham Ortelius?
He is known as the inventor of theatlasa book comprising multiple maps in one format and style.
Portrait of Abraham Ortelius by Peter Paul Rubens, 1633 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
The 16th century was a time of exploration, revolutionary inventions, and a new view of the world.
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Title-page (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
An engraved map and coloured by hand.
It is part of Ortelius’s Atlas Teatrum Orbis Terarum, Antwerp, 1570, map no.
Portrait of Abraham Ortelius in his study by Constant Aimé Marie Cap (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
The eastern seaboard juts out eastward, illustrating the inaccurate measurements of longitudes at the time.
Many features on the map were also based on new information coming from explorers.
It is unsure whether this is an island or part of the Southern Continent.
Map of Africa by Abraham Ortelius, 1608 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
The tradition was perhaps influenced by Greco-Roman illustrations of mythological beasts.
However, Ortelius was one of the final cartographers to embrace the inclusion of them in his maps.
TheTheatrum Orbis Terrarumatlas was published during a time when cartographers started to prioritize science and accuracy over aesthetics.
“Theatrum Orbis Terrarum” Title-page (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
An engraved map and coloured by hand. It is part of Ortelius’s Atlas “Teatrum Orbis Terarum,” Antwerp, 1570, map no. 50 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
“Typus Orbis Terrarum” by Abraham Ortelius, 1572 edition (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
“Islandia” map by Abraham Ortelius, 1590 (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
“Indiae Orientalis, Insularumque Adiacientium Typus,” from the “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum of Abraham Ortelius,” 1603 Latin edition (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
“Indiae Orientalis, Insularumque Adiacientium Typus,” from the “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum of Abraham Ortelius,” 1603 Latin edition (Photo:Wikimedia CommonsPublic Domain)
