Synopses & Reviews
By developing the broadest and most inclusive definition of the term "map" ever adopted in the history of cartography, this inaugural volume of the
History of Cartography series has helped redefine the way maps are studied and understood by scholars in a number of disciplines.
Volume One addresses the prehistorical and historical mapping traditions of premodern Europe and the Mediterranean world. A substantial introductory essay surveys the historiography and theoretical development of the history of cartography and situates the work of the multi-volume series within this scholarly tradition. Cartographic themes include an emphasis on the spatial-cognitive abilities of Europe's prehistoric peoples and their transmission of cartographic concepts through media such as rock art; the emphasis on mensuration, land surveys, and architectural plans in the cartography of Ancient Egypt and the Near East; the emergence of both theoretical and practical cartographic knowledge in the Greco-Roman world; and the parallel existence of diverse mapping traditions (mappaemundi, portolan charts, local and regional cartography) in the Medieval period.
Throughout the volume, a commitment to include cosmographical and celestial maps underscores the inclusive definition of "map" and sets the tone for the breadth of scholarship found in later volumes of the series.
Synopsis
By developing the broadest and most inclusive definition of the term "map" ever adopted in the history of cartography, this inaugural volume of the
History of Cartography series has helped redefine the way maps are studied and understood by scholars in a number of disciplines.
Volume One addresses the prehistorical and historical mapping traditions of premodern Europe and the Mediterranean world. A substantial introductory essay surveys the historiography and theoretical development of the history of cartography and situates the work of the multi-volume series within this scholarly tradition. Cartographic themes include an emphasis on the spatial-cognitive abilities of Europe's prehistoric peoples and their transmission of cartographic concepts through media such as rock art; the emphasis on mensuration, land surveys, and architectural plans in the cartography of Ancient Egypt and the Near East; the emergence of both theoretical and practical cartographic knowledge in the Greco-Roman world; and the parallel existence of diverse mapping traditions (mappaemundi, portolan charts, local and regional cartography) in the Medieval period.
Throughout the volume, a commitment to include cosmographical and celestial maps underscores the inclusive definition of "map" and sets the tone for the breadth of scholarship found in later volumes of the series.
Synopsis
Russia first encountered Alaska in 1741 as part of the most ambitious and expensive expedition of the entire 18th century. During the next 126 years the struggle to develop and refine geographic knowledge of the vast region comprising northeastern Asia, the North Pacific, and Alaska met with many obstacles, including inclement weather, the chain of supply over great distances, the need to train expert navigators and cartographers, and false leads due to spurious voyage accounts. For much of this era, critical geographic knowledge was kept as a state secret in Russia and not shared, even with the very navigators and cartographers who were developing much needed maps and navigational aids. Despite this, a rich cartographic heritage developed to be carried forward into the American era.
The traditional Russian cartographic methods were appliedand#160; to new discoveries in Siberia and beyond. Early fur traders and explorers utilized this system which for a time co-existed with the new cartographic methodology utilized in Europe and adopted for use by the Russia of Peter the Great. It became an age of scientific exploration. Great Britain, France, Spain, but especially Russia, sent expeditions. An increasingly complete knowledge of the coasts of North America, with forays into the interior, emerged. Postnikov describes the explorations and richly illustrates how the resulting maps evolved and contributed to the worldand#8217;s knowledge of one of the last great regions of the world to be explored.
About the Author
Alexey V. Postnikov is a research fellow in the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Marvin Falk is professor and curator of rare books emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.Lydia T. Black (1925-2007) was
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface
and#160;and#160; J. B. Harley and David Woodward
Chapter 1: The Map and the Development of the History of Cartography
and#160;and#160; J. B. Harley
PART ONE Cartography in Prehistoric Europe and the Mediterranean
Chapter 2: Prehistoric Maps and the History of Cartography: An Introduction
and#160;and#160; Catherine Delano Smith
Chapter 3: The Origins of Cartography
and#160;and#160; G. Malcolm Lewis
Chapter 4: Cartography in the Prehistoric Period in the Old World: Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa
and#160;and#160; Catherine Delano Smith
PART TWO Cartography in Ancient Europe and the Mediterranean
Chapter 5: Cartography in the Ancient World: An Introduction,
and#160;and#160; O. A. W. Dilke
Chapter 6: Cartography in the Ancient Near East
and#160;and#160; A. R. Millard
Chapter 7: Egyptian Cartography
and#160;and#160; A. F. Shore
Chapter 8: The Foundations of Theoretical Cartography in Archaic and Classical Greece
and#160;and#160; Prepared by the editors from materials supplied by Germaine Aujac
Chapter 9: The Growth of an Empirical Cartography in Hellenistic Greece
and#160;and#160; Prepared by the editors from materials supplied by Germaine Aujac
Chapter 10: Greek Cartography in the Early Roman World
and#160;and#160; Prepared by the editors from materials supplied by Germaine Aujac
Chapter 11: The Culmination of Greek Cartography in Ptolemy
and#160;and#160; O. A. W. Dilke with additional material supplied by the editors
Chapter 12: Maps in the Service of the State: Roman Cartography to the End of the Augustan Era
and#160;and#160; O. A. W. Dilke
Chapter 13: Roman Large-Scale Mapping in the Early Empire
and#160;and#160; O. A. W. Dilke
Chapter 14: Itineraries and Geographical Maps in the Early and Late Roman Empires
and#160;and#160; O. A. W. Dilke
Chapter 15: Cartography in the Byzantine Empire
and#160;and#160; O. A. W. Dilke with additional material supplied by the editors
Chapter 16: Cartography in the Ancient World: A Conclusion
and#160;and#160; O. A. W. Dilke
PART THREE Cartography in Medieval Europe and the Mediterranean
Chapter 17: Medieval Maps: An Introduction
and#160;and#160; P. D. A. Harvey
Chapter 18: Medieval Mappaemundi
and#160;and#160; David Woodward
Chapter 19: Portolan Charts from the Late Thirteenth Century to 1500
and#160;and#160; Tony Campbell
Chapter 20: Local and Regional Cartography in Medieval Europe
and#160;and#160; P. D. A. Harvey
Chapter 21: Concluding Remarks
and#160;and#160; J. B. Harley and David Woodward
List of Contributors
Bibliographical Index
General Index
and#160;and#160; Jeffrey Pinkham