Photo credit: explorersweb.com
Throughout history, maps have often contained unusual geographical features, a blend of myth and wishful thinking. One of the most notable examples is the legend of Atlantis, a creation attributed to Plato that has captivated imagination for centuries and made its way onto maps until well into the Renaissance. As explorers ventured beyond known territories, they returned with fantastical tales, often third-hand accounts, leading cartographers to populate blank areas with mythical lands.
A website named Map Myths offers an engaging and informative interactive experience centered around these legendary places. Users can explore the history behind various mythical locations, learning about their origins, the explorers who sought them out, and the maps on which they were featured.
The Sea of the West
Maps were sometimes shaped by the hopeful visions of explorers. A prime example is the 16th-century explorer Giovanni da Verrazano, who mistakenly identified Pamlico Sound in North Carolina as a gateway to the Pacific Ocean after failing to see its opposing shoreline. This optimistic projection led to the creation of the “Sea of the West,” which persisted far longer than Verrazano’s journey. The economic potential of a navigable route across North America made the ideal too appealing to abandon. During the 18th century, over 200 maps depicted this mythical sea, although explorations by figures such as James Cook and the Lewis and Clark expedition ultimately dispelled its existence.
The Quest for Prestor John
The tale of Prestor John, a legendary Christian monarch rumored to reside in the East, originated in the mid-1100s. As European crusaders grappled with formidable Islamic forces, the presence of such an ally became increasingly desirable. Although the anticipated support never materialized in the form of Prestor John, the Mongols under Genghis Khan later arrived, dramatically altering the geopolitical landscape of the time.
As the quest for Prestor John shifted over the centuries, mapmakers began to position his kingdom near modern-day Ethiopia. This region’s long-standing Christian heritage and distance from Europe added an air of mystery, allowing the legend to endure for centuries before eventually fading from maps. The narrative surrounding Prestor John catalyzed European exploration of Asia and Africa, fueled by a combination of curiosity and religious fervor.
Phantom Islands
Many maps from the Age of Exploration featured uncharted phantom islands, often rooted in sailor folklore and embellished tales. One such island gained notoriety through the real-life events of Marguerite de La Rocque de Roberval, who was marooned in the 16th century on an island after her privateer relative disapproved of her romantic involvement during their voyage to New France. Marguerite endured significant hardships, and upon her eventual rescue, her narrative captured public interest, leading to the widespread inclusion of the “Isle of Demons” on subsequent maps. Initially linked to the Newfoundland coastline, this mythical island was only loosely based on Marguerite’s actual experiences and is thought to correspond to a location near Harrington Harbour in modern Quebec.
The “Isle of Demons” remained a fixture on maps for decades, merging reality with myth and further illustrating how colorful stories can influence cartography. For those with an interest in exploring these fascinating stories of legendary lands, Map Myths is an excellent resource to uncover the rich tapestry of exploration and imagination. Whether examining fictitious kingdoms or mysterious islands, each click brings new insights into the interplay between history and mythology in the world of cartography.
Source
explorersweb.com