2600-year-old map carved on clay block shows us a completely different view of the world

Maps have undoubtedly been a helpful part of our past and present and have helped navigate the most ancient spaces. People might be aware of digital maps and paper maps, however, researchers stumbled upon a map carved in clay. A mesmerizing map that is around 2600 years old was discovered by archeologist Hormuzd Rassam, per My Modern Met. Suggested to be the map of the 6th century Babylonia, it is reportedly the world’s oldest existing map. Though archaeologists found just a fragment of the map, a lot is visible and comprehensible from the same. The British Museum acquired the map and it has been stored there ever since 1882. 

The carvings on the clay block are fascinatingly intricate and have symbolic meaning. The major classification of the carvings is the writing towards the top of the block and a carved circular ring with inscriptions on the inside. The circular ring represents the “Bitter River.” The surrounding areas mark various geographical places, tribes and more including Babylonia, the Aramaean and Kassite tribal groups and so on. 

Ancient Origins shared a more enhanced explanation of the various numbers, letters and words inscribed on the clay. The map is that of the Mesopotamian world and circles around Babylonia. The images and writings are in cuneiform like several other ancient scripts. It was also added that 8 divisions mark 8 different islands or regions from the time. These regions were referred to as "nagu." Beside each region is written the note "6 (or 7) beru in between" (the ‘beru’ is a Babylonian unit of time and linear measurement)

A rough sketch was also made to replicate the image on the clay block and decipher what the script and numbers meant. Positions of the sun were also resembled on the map along with the mountains, Euphrates River and several other landmarks. This map in particular is said to be one of the only ancient ones to cover all the continents and the land beyond the oceans. It is believed that other maps created at the time were mostly local and gave only a small picture of the area around. This map, on the other hand, gives away a vast understanding of the geographical landscapes far and wide. There are several suggested reasons as to what the focus of the creation of the map may have been.

While some claim it was for agricultural purposes, others point out that the presence of the mythical beasts on the map is also of value. Their idea is that the map is of the view of “The Babylonian Epic of Creation" - a form of a new world as per the beliefs of the people at the time. Another possible reason shared for the creation of the map is to include only certain regional groups and exclude enemy or third-party groups like the Egyptians or Persians. It was also suggested that given the positioning of Babylon on the map, the same may have been created with the idea that the Babylonians believed their region to be the center of the world.