History of Maps - (Colorful Human History)

Author: Black
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 detail and precision of modern mapmaking, let's not forget that for a long time, it wasn't entirely a product of scientific observation. Much like astronomy originating from astrology or chemistry from alchemy, maps actually stemmed from non-scientific fields such as religion, mythology, and aesthetics.
Maps can be understood as a product 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 people, it becomes flat. These irreconcilable natural differences are destined to make the history of human mapmaking filled with naivety, absurdity, discovery and imagination, perseverance, and a spirit of adventure. Maps were born in ancient times, but it was only in a few hundred years that they became a product of strict scientific meaning and a reliable practical tool, and this transformation process was full of interest, strangeness, ups and downs, and drama.
In ancient times, although there were also motivations to reveal the truth about the world, maps primarily carried human emotions and imagination. When facing an ancient Indian map that depicted the land 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 certain beliefs and preferences. Therefore, the connotations of maps are far richer than people imagine. The achievements of ancient cartographers reflect the blending of various human knowledge—such as mythology, religion, aesthetics, beliefs, and a self-centered worldview.
The history of maps condenses humanity's misunderstandings, imaginations, beliefs, and the interplay and mixture of cognitive abilities regarding the world, proving that our correct understanding of our living environment comes slowly and tortuously, and is often accompanied by absurdity.