The oldest map dates back to the Babylonians
The oldest map in the world: a Babylonian treasure that reveals the worldview of an ancient civilization
The world's oldest map was discovered in the early 1880s In Abu Habba, an ancient metropolis now located in Iraq and dates back approximately 2,600 years. This precious artifact, known as the “Babylonian Map of the World” or “Imago Mundi,” dates back to the 6th century BCE and represents the oldest known map of the world. Created during a time when cartography was still in its infancy, this tablet not only provides a detailed view of the lands known to the Babylonians but also reveals their cosmic and cultural vision of the world.
The map shows how the Babylonians interpreted the world beyond the borders of their empire and reveals a hidden aspect of this people: their dedication to geographical exploration. For years, Babylonian merchants and adventurers ventured far from home in an attempt to learn about new peoples and cultures. This goal also positively influenced the societies of some of their neighbors, such as the Greeks or Egyptians.
The tablet on which the map is inscribed is filled with unique details that offer a different worldview from our own. For example, the world is depicted as a singular disk, surrounded by a ring of water called the Bitter River. At the center of the Earth is the Euphrates River, which in ancient time flowed through the city of Babylon, the capital of the Babylonian Empire.
The ancient world is represented as a disc surrounded by a ring of water, called the Bitter River. At the center of this disc lies the Euphrates River, with the city of Babylon—the pulsating heart of ancient Mesopotamia—prominently featured. The British Museum, the custodian of this fundamental piece of history, describes the labels inscribed in cuneiform that annotate each location on the map, providing a direct connection to the world that once was.
The map reveals how the Babylonians perceived and interpreted their environment. The depiction of the world as a disc surrounded by a ring of water reflects not only their limited geographical knowledge but also a broader cosmic conception. The Euphrates, as the focal point of the map, emphasizes the importance of this river in Babylonian daily life and mythology.
Interestingly, the map shows some discrepancies with historical reality. For example, Babylon is indicated on only one side of the Euphrates, while in reality, it spanned both banks of the river for much of its history. This suggests that the Babylonian cartographers may have used a certain degree of artistic or symbolic freedom rather than adhering strictly to geographical accuracy.
Above the map, a block of text narrates the creation of the world according to Babylonian mythology, attributed to the chief god Marduk. This text mentions a series of exotic animals such as the mountain goat, lion, leopard, hyena, and wolf, which may have held symbolic or mythological significance for the Babylonians. Additionally, illustrious rulers like Utnapishtim, a king known for surviving an epic flood, are mentioned, recalling the Epic of Gilgamesh and other mythical narratives from the region.
On the back of the tablet, we find a description of eight peripheral regions, known as nagu. Each region is briefly described, offering further insights into the geography and knowledge of the time. This text adds an additional layer of detail to our understanding of the Babylonian world and its known frontiers.
The Babylonian Map of the World is not just an archaeological artifact; it is a testament to the intellectual curiosity and sophistication of the Babylonians in dealing with and understanding their environment. The tablet, part of the British Museum's permanent collection, serves as a bridge between the past and the present, offering invaluable insight into how one of the oldest known civilizations conceived of the world.
