Babylonian Map
Explore the ancient world through the remarkable lens of a clay tablet, a vestige of the 6th century BC, unveiling a labeled illustration of the known world. Discovered at the archaeological site of Sippar, north of Babylon, and now housed in the British Museum, this artifact provides a captivating glimpse into the early perceptions of geography.
Centered on the majestic Euphrates River, flowing from the northern expanse to the southern reaches, the map intricately details the city of Babylon along the riverbanks. The Euphrates, symbolically depicted with the labels “swamp” and “outflow” at its mouth, anchors the northern half of the map. Beyond this ancient city, the capital of Elam, Susa, stands to the south, while Urartu lies to the northeast, and the Kassite capital, Habban, is mistakenly placed to the northwest.
Mesopotamia, surrounded by a circular “bitter river” or Ocean, unfolds into eight triangular sections beyond this watery expanse. Speculated as mountains, these regions are thoughtfully labeled with cuneiform script. The circular map is embraced by two defined outer circles, symbolizing the “bitter river” or salt sea.
Within this ancient cartographic masterpiece, Babylon occupies a prominent position north of the center, with parallel lines portraying the southern marshes and a curved line representing the Zagros Mountains from the north-northeast.
Seven small interior circles along the perimeter signify cities, while eight triangular sections on the external circle denote named “regions” (nagu). The surviving descriptions provide vivid glimpses into these regions, from the perpetual flight of winged birds to lands bathed in eternal sunlight or engulfed in complete darkness. Intriguingly, the sixth region introduces a horned bull dwelling in mystery, while the seventh lies in the east, awakening with the dawn.
A final enigma encapsulates the essence of these eight regions and their shores, leaving an eternal mystery: “In all eight regions of the four shores of the earth, their interior no one knows.” This ancient map, etched in clay, transcends time, inviting us to ponder the profound mysteries and imaginations of our ancestors.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 