The Piri Reis World Map
The Most Mysterious Map In History
The Piri Reis World Map of 1513 is one of the oldest post-Columbian world maps in existence. It was created during a time when much of the New World was still being discovered by Europe. Yet, somehow, the details are incredibly precise.
Considering it was created long before geolocation technology existed, the map’s accuracy has puzzled historians for centuries, making it one of the world’s most mysterious maps. From theories of lost civilizations to paranormal assistance, let’s uncover the mystery behind the oldest surviving “Map of America".
The Incredible Discovery
Before we delve into the details of who created the map and how, let’s first understand the magnitude of its discovery.
It was found in the Library of Topkapı Palace in Istanbul in 1929, when the palace was being converted to a museum. The map, which is dated 1513, is drawn on parchment made from gazelle skin, and only a portion of the original is known to have survived over the years.
What Does The Map Look Like?
The remaining piece of the map is approximately 87 cm x 63 cm. It is a portolan chart with compass roses from which lines of bearing radiate.
This particular piece of the map focuses on the Atlantic and the Americas, showing the Atlantic Ocean with the coasts of Europe, Africa, and South America.
Map Specifics
In the top left corner, the Caribbean is arranged unlike modern or contemporary maps. The large island oriented vertically is labeled Hispaniola, and the western coast includes elements of Cuba and Central America.
The distance between Brazil and Africa is roughly correct, and the Atlantic islands are drawn consistent with European portolan charts.
But not everything is explainable.
Phantom Islands
Many places on the map have been identified as phantom islands or have not been identified conclusively. For example, İle Verde (Green Island) north of Hispaniola could refer to many islands.
And the large island in the Atlantic, İzle de Vaka (Ox Island), corresponds to no known real or fictional island.
Both an Atlantic island and the mainland of the Americas are referred to as the legendary Antilia.
Within the map are extensive notes, written with the Arabic alphabet. Inscriptions on South America and the Southern Continent cite recent Portuguese voyages, and are written in Ottoman Turkish.
