Secrets of Imago Mundi: Decoding the Oldest World Map
The secrets in the Babylonian tablet, considered the oldest world map, have been deciphered. Dated from 2600 to 2900 years ago, Imago Mundi provides a unique insight into the beliefs and practices of the ancient Mesopotamian civilization.
The Babylonian tablet was discovered in 1882 by archaeologist Hormuzd Rassam. For over a hundred years, it remained undeciphered. Thanks to the efforts of researchers from the British Museum, the knowledge recorded on it has been unravelled.
The map shows Mesopotamia in the centre, surrounded by two circles symbolizing water. The people who lived in Mesopotamia believed in this "world"—the area that now comprises Iraq and part of Syria.
The map in the British Museum indicates Mesopotamia as the "known world" surrounded by the "bitter river," reflecting the Babylonian belief in the world's centre. In addition to the placement of Mesopotamia, the tablet contains descriptions of mythical creatures and outlines the universe theories of that time.
Interestingly, the map also includes areas beyond the centre, such as Assyria, Der, and Urartu, demonstrating the Babylonians' extensive geographical knowledge. Its edges also depict mountains, where "the Sun is not seen, " according to the inscription, which could suggest further unknown territories.
Besides geographical records, the tablet describes mythical creatures such as winged horses, sea serpents, and bull-man. This illustrates the richness of Babylonian mythology. According to experts from the British Museum, the text on the tablet also describes the inhabitants of these distant areas, both divine and human.
Imago Mundi is an ancient map that not only opens doors to understanding Babylonian cosmology and geography but also testifies to the intellectual and scientific advancement of the civilization at that time.
