I would like to explore one of my favourite maps of the world based upon what was wrong by Joseph Moxon (1627-1691). He was a British cartographer and the hydrographer to Charles II after the Restoration of the Monarchy and a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was also a printer of maps, globes, mathematical books and instruments.
In his map, A MAP OF ALL OF THE EARTH AND HOW AFTER THE FLOOD IT WAS DIVIDED AMONG THE SONS OF NOAH, BY J. MOXON, California is shown as an island. California was the name given to the mythical island populated by Amazon warriors. Mapmakers used the name “California” to label the unexplored territory on the North American west coast.
Second, Moxon theorized that the Arctic was ice-free and warmed by 24 hours of sunlight in the summer. He assumed that Arctic ice was only near the land and by sailing northward, a Northwest Passage would be found near the North Pole. These opinions influenced future explorers, such as Captain Cook, to search for the Northwest Passage.
Third, it was a Map of all the Earth after the Flood, which was divided among the Sons of Noah. North America is marked as “Japhet.” The commentary noted Americans must be derived from the sons of Japhet. What about the early migration of people from Asia during prior Ice Ages that populated North America? Apparently, these people did not stop in North America, but continued their migration to South America.
Fourth, we all want to know where the Garden of Eden was located - and now we know the location in Asia!
Fifth, the map is surrounded by 14 vignettes from engravings by Wenceslaus Hollar, which encircles the world geographically with Biblical time by depicting Biblical scenes from the Creation to the New Jerusalem. So, you know all about the major events from creation to the end of the world. There you have it, all that you need to know about the world.
Also, the map is very current by identifying Pennsylvania [key # 57 Pensilvania], which was charted in the same 1681 year of publication of this map. On March 4, 1681, Charles II of England granted the Province of Pennsylvania to William Penn. Plus, there are some other interesting names of places, which are surprising.
