History of Cartography

exploration · geography · ancient civilizations · human invention

Maps Everywhere. Many different cultures around the world invented maps independently, without copying from each other. This shows how important maps were for helping people find their way and understand the land around them.

Super Ancient Maps. The very first maps might have been cave paintings and etchings scratched onto tusks and stone. Archaeologists aren't totally sure exactly when people started making maps, but they've been around for thousands of years.

Maps in Big Civilizations. Ancient Babylon, Greece, Rome, China, and India all made lots of maps. These great empires used maps to help them explore, trade, and rule their lands.

Maps Changed Everything. Maps are one of the most important tools humans ever created because they let us explain where things are and help us navigate without getting lost. With maps, explorers could travel far from home and traders could find new routes.