🐉Medieval mapmakers commonly added dragons and sea monsters to empty spaces on maps.
🗺️Maps during the Middle Ages and beyond combined functional mapping with cosmographies.
🌍The aim of many maps commissioned by rulers was to depict the world's geography rather than aid navigation.
🌐Early world maps depicted Europe, Asia, and North Africa as wrapping around a flattened sphere.
🔎As explorers traveled and gained more knowledge, maps gradually became more accurate.
Why did medieval mapmakers include dragons and sea monsters on their maps?
—Medieval mapmakers added dragons and sea monsters to create a sense of mystery and wonder in the empty spaces of their maps.
Were medieval maps accurate representations of the world?
—Medieval maps were often based on incomplete knowledge and included incorrect assumptions about the shape and size of continents.
Who commissioned the creation of medieval maps?
—Medieval maps were commonly commissioned by rulers and other powerful individuals who wanted to depict the world's geography and showcase their wealth and influence.
Were medieval maps used for navigation?
—While some medieval maps may have been used for navigation, many were primarily decorative and not intended for practical use in finding locations or routes.
How did maps become more accurate over time?
—As explorers traveled and gathered more information about different regions of the world, mapmakers gradually corrected misconceptions and incorporated new knowledge into their maps.
00:06Medieval mapmakers often included dragons and sea monsters in the empty spaces on their maps, creating a sense of mystery and wonder.
01:15Maps during the Middle Ages combined functional mapping, showing trade routes, settlements, and topography, with cosmographies, illustrating the Earth's position in the cosmos.
01:25Maps commissioned by rulers aimed to depict the world's geography and showcase their wealth and influence.
01:47Early world maps often depicted Europe, Asia, and North Africa wrapping around a flattened sphere.
03:16European mapmakers expanded the scope of their world maps as explorers traveled, but there were missteps and misconceptions in their depictions.
