Mystery of World's Oldest Babylonian Map Finally Solved
The Babylonian oldest map solved revealing ancient beliefs about Mesopotamia and mysterious lands beyond the known world.
A recent video from the British Museum highlights the Imago Mundi, the oldest known world map discovered on a clay tablet from Babylon.
The map, dating back to around the seventh century BC, offers a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs and worldview of the Babylonians.
Researchers found the tablet in the southern Iraqi city of Abu Habba, also known as Sippar, and the British Museum has owned it since 1882.
For many years, it remained a mystery until curators recently uncovered a missing section and decoded the writing.
The cuneiform tablet from the 6th century BC shows a bird’s-eye view of Mesopotamia, the area known as the “land between the rivers” in modern Iraq.
In addition to mapping this familiar region, the tablet also represents places the Babylonians thought existed outside their immediate knowledge.
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Author's summary: Babylonian map reveals ancient worldview.