The Mappa Mundi at Hereford was created about 1300CE – 700 years ago – as a reflection of Europeans’ understanding of the “known” world at that time. A literal encylopedia of medieval geographic, scientific and cultural knowledge of the world, the map was about 1.5 meters (or 4.5 feet) in size. It was a contemporary of the Ebstorf map, created about the same time although at a much larger size of 3.5 meters square (11.7 feet).

Although it seems a naive (at best) and definitely a xenophobic depiction of the world, it has much to tell us about the world view of Europeans of that period. Click on the BBC report below to see more about the Map …

Click to view full screen.

 

https://www.bbc.com/reel/playlist/the-worlds-rarest?vpid=p074n6qj

 

For more information and a closer look at the map, click here to go to the Hereford Cathedral’s website.
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