Babylonian Map of the World: The Oldest Known Map of the Ancient World

The "Babylonian Map of the World," known as "Imago Mundi" in Latin, provides insight into ancient Babylonian perspectives.

What it is:

This artifact is a clay tablet featuring the oldest known representation of the ancient world.

Location:

It hails from Abu Habba, an ancient city in Babylon, which is present-day Iraq.

Creation Date:

The map dates back to around the sixth century B.C.

Insights into Babylonian Worldview

The tablet illustrates how the Babylonians conceptualized their world thousands of years ago. The representation shows a disc-like form divided by a ring of water known as the Bitter River. At the center are the Euphrates River and the significant city of Babylon. The cuneiform script identifies various places, as noted by The British Museum.

Some artistic liberties seem to exist in this depiction. Babylon is indicated on just one end of the Euphrates, even though the city traditionally extended across both banks historically.

Mythological and Geographical Descriptions

Above the map, there is a narrative about the world’s creation by Marduk, the primary deity in Babylonia. The text mentions over a dozen creatures, including a mountain goat, lion, leopard, hyena, and wolf. Notable rulers are also referenced, such as Utnapishtim, renowned for surviving a massive flood.

The back of the tablet includes additional text detailing eight external regions, referred to as "nagu," along with concise descriptions for each.

This historical artifact measures 4.8 inches tall by 3.2 inches wide (12.2 by 8.2 centimeters) and is housed in The British Museum’s permanent collection.

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