History of maps

Author: (British) Black, translated by Zhang Lan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: What is a "map"? Is it a true representation of the objective world? The answer is both yes and no. While we marvel at the precision and accuracy of modern maps, we must not forget that for a long time, they were not entirely products of scientific observation. Like astronomy originating from astrology and chemistry from alchemy, maps actually originated from non-scientific fields such as religion, mythology, and aesthetics. Maps can be understood as products of some kind of "human predicament": nature exists inherently and perfectly, yet human knowledge can only gradually approach it over time; the world is infinite, but as its observers and measurers, humans are inevitably constrained by the limitations of their physical bodies; the Earth is originally round, but when it is drawn by humans, it becomes flat. These irreconcilable natural differences have doomed the history of mapmaking to be filled with naivety, absurdity, discovery and imagination, perseverance, and a spirit of adventure. Maps were born in ancient times, but the history of them becoming a legitimate product of natural science and a reliable practical tool has only spanned a few hundred years, and this transformation process has been filled with interest, strangeness, ups and downs, and drama. In ancient times, although there were also motivations to reveal the truth of the world, maps primarily carried human emotions and imagination. When facing an ancient Indian map that depicted the earth as a lotus flower or an ancient Chinese map that placed its own country at the center of the world, what people read was not objective reality, but some belief or certain preferences. Therefore, the connotation of maps is far richer than people imagine, and the achievements of ancient cartographers reflect the blending of various human knowledge—such as mythology, religion, aesthetics, belief, and a self-centered worldview. The history of maps condenses humanity's misunderstandings, imaginations, beliefs, and the interplay and mixture of cognitive abilities, proving that our correct understanding of our living environment comes slowly and tortuously, and is often ridiculous.