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The enigma of the origin of Portolan charts : a geodetic analysis of the hypothesis of a medieval origin /

The sudden appearance of portolan charts, realistic nautical charts of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, at the end of the thirteenth century is one of the most significant occurrences in the history of cartography. Using geodetic and statistical analysis techniques these charts are shown to be mosai...

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Bibliographic Details
Call Number:Libro Electrónico
Main Author: Nicolai, Roel (Author)
Format: Electronic eBook
Language:Inglés
Published: Leiden ; Boston : Brill, [2016]
Series:History of science and medicine library ; 52.
Subjects:
Online Access:Texto completo
Description
Summary:The sudden appearance of portolan charts, realistic nautical charts of the Mediterranean and Black Sea, at the end of the thirteenth century is one of the most significant occurrences in the history of cartography. Using geodetic and statistical analysis techniques these charts are shown to be mosaics of partial charts that are considerably more accurate than has been assumed. Their accuracy exceeds medieval mapping capabilities. These sub-charts show a remarkably good agreement with the Mercator map projection. It is demonstrated that this map projection can only have been an intentional feature of the charts construction. Through geodetic analysis the author eliminates the possibility that the charts are original products of a medieval Mediterranean nautical culture, which until now they have been widely believed to be.0.
Physical Description:1 online resource (xxv, 544 pages) : illustrations, maps, charts
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:9789004285125
9004285121