How Did The Hereford Mappa Mundi?
Medieval Europeans reflect their view in the Hereford Mappa Mundi, created in circa 1300 AD when Medieval Europeans occupied the area around Jerusalem. The Hereford Mappa Mundi directly reflects that Medieval Europeans had a primitive understanding of what their world looked like. They had a very parochial worldview, which was a result of limited exploration of land masses beyond the identified border of the map.
The Mappa Mundi is currently being held in Hereford Cathedral, Hereford, UK. A single sheet of vellum (calfskin) was used to create the map, which measures 163 cm by 132 cm (64 inches by 52 inches). It has many drawings that delineate the period in which the map was made, showing us about how people lived in that time. The maps were drawn and written with lots of detailed information, but could only be read by people who spoke a certain branch of French (Norman French - The language of the educated non-religious elites). This indicates that most people could only speak one language and that they only had primordial comprehension of their world and …show more content…
According to the myth, ‘nothing further beyond’ was written on the Columns.This indicates that explorers wouldn’t investigate areas as thoroughly as possible. Likewise, on the map there is a drawing of the island of Crete. There is a labyrinth that has been drawn on the map. I assume it was included due to the fact that in the Middle Ages, many churches and cathedrals had a labyrinth design on the floor. This is significant because travellers would walk the labyrinth as a sacred pilgrimage. Likewise, there is an elephant artwork included in the map, located near the northeast border. My understanding is that the creator of this map had never seen a live elephant because the drawing is relatively inaccurate. Many beliefs have been misconstrued over time, so people have different opinions on where and why a certain thing was put on the
The Mappa Mundi is currently being held in Hereford Cathedral, Hereford, UK. A single sheet of vellum (calfskin) was used to create the map, which measures 163 cm by 132 cm (64 inches by 52 inches). It has many drawings that delineate the period in which the map was made, showing us about how people lived in that time. The maps were drawn and written with lots of detailed information, but could only be read by people who spoke a certain branch of French (Norman French - The language of the educated non-religious elites). This indicates that most people could only speak one language and that they only had primordial comprehension of their world and …show more content…
According to the myth, ‘nothing further beyond’ was written on the Columns.This indicates that explorers wouldn’t investigate areas as thoroughly as possible. Likewise, on the map there is a drawing of the island of Crete. There is a labyrinth that has been drawn on the map. I assume it was included due to the fact that in the Middle Ages, many churches and cathedrals had a labyrinth design on the floor. This is significant because travellers would walk the labyrinth as a sacred pilgrimage. Likewise, there is an elephant artwork included in the map, located near the northeast border. My understanding is that the creator of this map had never seen a live elephant because the drawing is relatively inaccurate. Many beliefs have been misconstrued over time, so people have different opinions on where and why a certain thing was put on the