The oldest map in the World
Is that 13th century man on skis and wearing a bobble hat?
Dear Fellow History Lover,
How Medieval Monks understood the world - the Mappa Mundi
MEDIEVAL TREASURES: THE MAPPA MUNDI - THE 13TH CENTURY MAP OF THE KNOWN WORLD
The Mappa Mundi, created in the late 13th century is an insight into how the world was understood at that time. It is both delightful and insightful.
It was drawn on a single piece of vellum (calf-skin), the ink was created from oak apple gall (which I looked up and can found can now be bought on eBay!), paints were created by mixing pigments and egg. The quills used would have been made from goose feathers and brushes from animal hair. The piece of vellum is from one calf and it is possible that the calf was selected and reared for this purpose.
It is the largest complete world map to have survived from this time period and shows us not just the understanding of the countries of the world and their locations but also demonstrates the importance of Christianity in medieval Europe, Jerusalem being centre. In that sense it is not, and nor was it attempting to be, a geographical map.
There are some delightful notes and images on the map, some of which seem out of place. There are animals which the creators of the map appear to have created from stories they had heard, such as a unicorn (with an impossibly long horn) and others which are more familiar, like a bear.
One of my personal favourite is a man who appears to be on skis and wearing a bobble hat! Noah’s Ark also appears as well as “horse footed men” inhabiting an island off China. The map features around 420 cities and towns, including Hereford where the map was created, 15 Biblical scenes and 8 representations from classical mythology.
The medieval frame, displayed near to the Mappa Mundi, is thought to be the very one in which the map was made and then used to house it. It originally had two doors which would close over it, but sadly these have been lost.
The Mappa Mundi is only one of the incredible things to see at Hereford Cathedral. See inside this beautiful Cathedral with its treasures and fascinating features below.
Historical Book Club
Get involved in choosing the books for 2024
Delve into recommended history books and discuss them with like minded people at the Historical Book Club.
I am really excited to see which 5 books the members of Book Club choose for 2024! I had real trouble even getting the long list down to 15 so I am more than happy to hand over the choice to a vote!
Whether you are member of Book Club of not (and you are welcome to join at any time), take a look at the long list of books for inspiration. I went through each of them and why I picked them on this week’s Tea Time History Chat Live - Watch Now.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
Join me this coming Wednesday live on Youtube - click here to set a reminder.
Have a great week everyone!
Philippa
PS: Remember to grab your tickets for The Tudor Online History Festival - £20 Click Here
I enjoyed reading this article about the oldest map in the world and how it reveals the ancient worldview of the Babylonians. It is fascinating to see how different cultures have interpreted and represented the world around them throughout history.
Traveling and experiencing other cultures is important, especially from a biblical perspective. Traveling can help us appreciate the diversity and beauty of God's creation, as well as the common humanity and dignity of all people made in His image. It can also challenge us to examine our own assumptions and biases, and to learn from other perspectives that may enrich our understanding of Scripture and God's purposes. For example, traveling to a country where poverty is widespread can help us to better understand the struggles of the poor and to develop a more compassionate heart.
The Bible itself is a product of various cultural contexts, and we need to be aware of how our own culture influences the way we read and apply it. That is why it is helpful to study the Bible communally, with people from different backgrounds and experiences, and to listen to the voices of Christians from other parts of the world.
Traveling can also inspire us to share the gospel with people from different cultures, and to respect and honor their cultural expressions of faith. As the article points out, the gospel is not bound by any culture, but transcends and transforms all cultures. For example, seeing the needs of people in other parts of the world can motivate us to share the hope and love of Jesus Christ with them.
I believe that traveling can help us see the beauty and diversity of God's kingdom, and to look forward to the day when people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship Him together. Thank you for sharing this article and for inviting us to reflect on the importance of travel and world culture in biblical context.