Book ID: CBB372996128

The Enigma of the Origin of Portolan Charts: A Geodetic Analysis of the Hypothesis of a Medieval Origin (2016)

unapi

Nicolai, Roel (Author)


Brill
History of Science and Medicine Library


Publication Date: 2016
Physical Details: xxvi, 544 pp.
Language: English

The sudden appearance of portolan charts, realistic nautical charts of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, at the end of the thirteenth century is one of the most significant occurrences in the history of cartography. Using geodetic and statistical analysis techniques these charts are shown to be mosaics of partial charts that are considerably more accurate than has been assumed. Their accuracy exceeds medieval mapping capabilities. These sub-charts show a remarkably good agreement with the Mercator map projection. It is demonstrated that this map projection can only have been an intentional feature of the charts’ construction. Through geodetic analysis the author eliminates the possibility that the charts are original products of a medieval Mediterranean nautical culture, which until now they have been widely believed to be.

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Reviewed By

Review Lesley B. Cormack (2019) Review of "The Enigma of the Origin of Portolan Charts: A Geodetic Analysis of the Hypothesis of a Medieval Origin". Isis: International Review Devoted to the History of Science and Its Cultural Influences (pp. 394-395). unapi

Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB372996128/

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Authors & Contributors
Gaspar, Joaquim Alves
Nicolai, Roel
Leitão, Henrique
Kahlaoui, Tarek
Michienzi, Ingrid Houssaye
José María Moreno Madrid
Concepts
Nautical charts
Maps; atlases
Cartography
Geography
Portolan chart
Navigation
Time Periods
Medieval
17th century
16th century
Early modern
14th century
Ming dynasty (China, 1368-1644)
Places
Mediterranean region
Europe
Mediterranean Sea
Black Sea
United States
North Africa
Institutions
Dutch East India Company
British East India Company
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