โWhy Are So Many Old Maps Covered in Sea Monsters?โ Nat Geo explores the intriguing presence of sea monsters in early Renaissance maps.
There has been a widespread belief among our ancestors that seas and oceans were domains of monsters, a fear vividly depicted in these maps.
As early as the 9th century, Arab historians like Abลซ Zayd al-Sฤซrฤfฤซ, who compiled accounts of sailors from China and India, were known to discount or ignore their stories of sea serpents.
However, this skepticism didnโt take hold in Europe until much later. Even in the 15th century, European maps were still adorned with images of โsea swine,โ โsea orms,โ and โpristers.โ
One of the most famous examples of this era is the Carta Marina, published in 1538 by Swedish ecclesiastic Olaus Magnus.
This map is notable for its detailed depiction of Scandinavia and its rich assortment of place names.
Edward Lynam, writing in 1949, noted that Magnus drew from a variety of ancient sources, including Ptolemyโs map in Geographia, and contemporary sources like the work of Astronomer Jacob Ziegler. Magnus also relied on descriptions from sailors and his own observations.
In the Carta Marina, near the coast of Norway, Magnus illustrated a sea serpent attacking a ship, likely inspired by tales of whales, squids, sea lions, or other sea creatures.
Magnus described the sea orm as a mythical beast capable of rearing its head out of the sea to pluck sailors from their decks. He depicted it as being 200 feet long and 20 feet in girth, double the size of a blue whale.
Whales are also pictured on the map, identified by their Latin name balena.
However, Magnusโ depictions hint at the original hypothesized appearances of these creatures, more akin to boars than whales, with long tusks and two blowholes resembling a hogโs ears.
The article also mentions mythical โsea swine,โ traced back to ancient Greece. Magnus illustrates them with webbed โdragonโs feetโ and a single eye towards the belly. Another variation, the prister, was said to be 200 feet long and could be scared away with the blast of a trumpet.
Chet Van Duzer, author of โSea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps,โ spoke to Nat Geo about the map, suggesting that the depictions were variations on the theme of terror and confusion inspired by whales, whether breaching, tail-slapping, or striking wooden ships.
The high mortality rate of sailors during long-distance voyages in the Age of Exploration, often due to scurvy and other diseases, fueled traditional fears of monstrous sea creatures.
This fear deeply influenced Magnusโ map.
The Carta Marina, with its vivid colors and illustrations, continues to fascinate scholars, offering a glimpse into the beliefs and behaviors of past generations. The mapโs depictions of sea cows, narwhals, and walruses further entice history enthusiasts, revealing much about the eraโs perceptions of marine life.
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