In the Middle Ages, images of the world were based on the Greco-Latin heritage, in which the Earth was designated as a globe or a sphere and not as a flat disc. Christian mappae mundi were often “T” or “O”-shaped, and showed lands that were inhabited. In these types of representations, the world was surrounded by an impassable ocean, forming a ring. The map became a means for spreading a spiritual vision of the world.
While the imagination was also present in geographical descriptions written in Arabic, from the 9th century Islamic scholars began following the writings of the Greek Ptolemy (2nd century). Their world maps then began describing the known world in a more scientific way, with Islamic kingdoms at its centre.
At the end of the 13th century, a new cartographic representation began spreading through Europe, accompanying the boom in maritime trade. Known as Portolan charts, these maps were based on an accurate survey of the Mediterranean coasts and were used for navigation.
FOR KIDS
In the Middle Ages, the known world included Europe, Africa and Asia. These continents were not represented in the same way as today. Sometimes they are shown in a circle surrounded by oceans. Scientific information was mixed with imaginary ideas. But the scientists of the time developed their knowledge of the earth to the point of producing more accurate maps.
Mappa mundi
Based on a description by Paul Orose
(early 5th century)
Tours Municipal Library, MS 973- fol 2r
Fragment of a Portolan chart representing the Western Mediterranean and the coasts of Northern Europe
Provence or Northern Italy; early 14th century
Central Mediterranean / Var Departmental Archives, 3 E 3441 /2 / © AD du Var.