Maps of the Ancient World

In 1929, at the Old Imperial Palace, now known as Topkapi Palace, in Constantinople, Turkey, the Piri Reis map was found. This map which dates 1513 A.D., was unique in that it was compiled from many other ancient maps dating back to the days of Alexander the Great (4th century B.C.). Some of its amazing features are:

�        It appears to be one of the earliest maps of America and even included Antarctica which was not discovered until 1818.

�        The map shows mountain ranges on Antarctica free of ice that were later re-discovered in 1954. Some of the portions of the ice cap of Antarctica are one mile thick. 

Though some scholars have rejected the conclusions of the Piri Reis map concerning Antarctica, further evidence in support of this map is found on the Oroteus Finaeus World Map of 1532.  This map shows rivers, inlets and mountain ranges free of ice as well.  In regard to the closeness of Antarctica to South America, like the Piri Reis, this map was obviously not the original source map.  The original map was probably constructed somewhere between 2,100‑1,500 B.C.  Further research reveals that another map, Mercator's World Map of 1538, also shows Antarctica in the same position as the other two maps.  

The Piri Reis Map of 1513