Search

This early map of Asia includes text describing the local people, their religious beliefs, crops, spices etc. On the island labelled Angama there is a drawing of anthropophagi—members of a mythical race of cannibals—chopping up a human body.

Early map of Asia, with the islands of Taprobana (Sumatra) to the west of the Malay Peninsula, and Timonia (Tioman) to the east. Text gives details of local economies: sandalwood on Tioman, and silver and silk at Lamai near Mallaqua (Malacca).

This 1540 map by the German cartographer Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) was based on the work of the 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. On the reverse, there is Latin text giving details of the area, including crops grown.

This early map of Asia includes text describing the local people, their religious beliefs, crops, spices etc. On the island labelled Angama there is a drawing of anthropophagi—members of a mythical race of cannibals—chopping up a human body.

This mid-16th century map of Southeast Asia shows some inaccuracies, especially in the shape of the Malay Peninsula and the islands meant to represent Sumatra (labelled ‘Camatra’), Java (‘Iava Mazor’) and Borneo (‘Iava Menor’). Latin text on reverse.

Mid-16th century map by Girolamo Ruscelli, based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. It is difficult to pinpoint exact locations, but the Malay Peninsula is recognisable. Italian text on the reverse describes the region.

Mid-16th century map by Girolamo Ruscelli, based on the work of 2nd century geographer Ptolemy. It is difficult to pinpoint exact locations, but the Malay Peninsula is recognisable. Italian text on the reverse describes the region.

A red banner at the right features text that notes that the ‘Insule Molucce’ (Maluku Islands) are famous for their abundance of spices, which are sold across the world. There are also Illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters wrecking a ship.

This early map of Sumatra—referred to in the accompanying French text as ‘Isle de la Taprobane’—is covered with illustrations of people working on the land, and with elephants and camels. Villages, mountains, rivers and wild animals are also shown.

A map of Sumatra featuring villages, mountains and rivers; text describing the island; and a drawing of a man riding an elephant. The title uses the name ‘Taprobana’ for Sumatra, stating it was a name used by ‘ancient geographers [alten geographen]’.

A map of Sumatra featuring villages, mountains and rivers; text describing the island; and a drawing of a man riding an elephant. The title uses the name ‘Taprobana’ for Sumatra, stating it was a name used by ‘ancient geographers [alten geographen]’.

Latin text on the reverse of this map describes Malacca, including crops and products (rice, pepper, spices, pearls), precious metals (gold, silver and tin), and animals (sheep, elephant), showing the city’s importance to European trade at the time.