THE HUMAN DEVELOPMENTS WHICH HAVE INFLUENCED MAPPING THE MOST SIGNIFICANTLY

Abigail Turner (OHS)

The first recorded map dates back to around 600B.C in Babylonian times. This map was written in cuneiform script on a clay tablet. Cuneiform was a common script, characterized by its wedge shape impressions. The map depicts Babylon in the centre of the map surrounded by a circular ocean. Although some places, such as Assyria, are explicitly named on the map, there are eight triangles circling the exterior edge of the tablet represent islands which the Babylonians believed contained mythical beasts. This Babylonian map is hugely different to modern day maps. For example, each map would have taken months to create and each ‘copy’ would be unique, therefore compromising the accuracy. Additionally, the necessary tools that are needed for a precise map would not have been available at the time. As a result, this map shows the extent to which maps have significantly improved by the development of technology over the years. One of the key developments that had to occur before people were able to start mapping on a larger scale was the development of reliable and fast methods of transport. This allowed people to travel further afield and to record what they saw in the form of a map. Perhaps the most significant form of transport was the development of the boat. Boats allowed people to travel across the oceans to unexplored countries and continents. Although the first boat recorded was the Pesse Dugout Canoe from the early Mesolithic Period around 8000B.C. However, this canoe as only 3m long and so would not have supported a long journey as few supplies would have fitted in. When Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain in 1492 he took three boats and 90 men, people believe that he would have used a 2m long map of the world created by Henricus Martellus in 1491. This map was hand-painted and glued to a canvas backing. However, one big flaw in Martellus’ map was that America was not marked. Although, both Africa and Europe were shown on the map, they were not very accurate representations of the continents. As a result, when Columbus reached the Caribbean, he thought that he had reached Japan due to the distortion of Martellus’ map. It was not until Columbus’s journey in ships and first-hand discovery of America that Martin Waldseemuller produced a map of the world in 1507, that included America as a continent. This shows that ships were essential in creating maps that are similar to ones that we know today. Furthermore, the development of larger ships powered by sail decreased the journey time significantly compared to human powered boats such as canoes, making a journey across the world more feasible. Finally, although the three boats that Columbus used were relatively small at only 15 to 21m in length they were very speedy and manoeuvrable. They could also carry 40-50 tonnes of cargo therefore longer journeys could be made as sufficient food to sustain the crew for the return journey could be carried. This highlights the importance of having a good transport system in the development of maps. Another development that significantly influenced mapping was the development of accurate measuring tools. One of the most important of these is the sextant. This measures the angle between two objects allowing the navigator to find where they are by precise measurement. This is essential in mapping so that an undistorted map of an area can be produced. For the same reason, the development of the compass in 10001200A.D. was also a major event in the improvement of maps. In recent years, real time maps of the world can be created in seconds as a result of the instrumental role played by imaging satellites. Imaging satellites orbit the earth and take photographs before sending them back to earth where they can provide the data needed for mapping. Not all these maps are traditional, maps showing precipitation and weather can also be created. In this way, severe storms can be predicted allowing people time to prepare and evacuate before storms hit. This highlights how satellites have revolutionised the way that maps are produced and have helped save countless lives. Finally, the methods of distribution over the years have influenced mapping. Before the process of lithography was invented in 1798, whereby the non-image areas of a flat surface are treated to repel ink and the image areas are treated so that the ink sticks. This allowed maps to be reproduced quickly, accurately and inexpensively. Before this, maps had to be engraved on copper plates in reverse before being printed using hand presses. This process took a very long time, and so prior to 1798, it was much less common to own a map as they were so expensive due to the time they took to produce. However, before hand presses were invented, each map had to be individually painted or carved, as a result maps were reserved for very rich people only. In the last few decades with the development of smart phones and computers, maps are available online with many in-built onto devices. As a result, at least 45.4% of the world’s population is able to access a constantly updating online map at any time and can use GPS to map their location. This provides a whole host of benefits, for example, people are less likely to get lost as they are able to pinpoint their location directly onto the map. Additionally, the technology provides a very affordable way of distributing maps as paper and ink are not required. In this way, the creation of inexpensive maps as a result of technological advances by humans has revolutionised the distribution of maps.

To conclude, the development of mapping is still improving as technological advances continue. For example, in 2019, Google released an augmented reality (AR) option on maps on their brand of phones. This software allows users to choose a route. If they are unsure of the turning that they should take, they can simply point their phone at the area around them. Arrows and directions will be shown on their phone screen, layered on top of the real-world view that the phone is able to see using the phone camera. This is designed to ensure that people map reading skills do not get lost, improving the accessibility of maps.

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