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Map of Asia featuring mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in southern China—including ‘Caÿamaÿ Lacus’—and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia. Carvings of people and animals decorate the cartouche.

Map of Asia featuring mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in southern China—including ‘Caÿamaÿ Lacus’—and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia. Carvings of people and animals decorate the cartouche.

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 colourful 16th century map by André Thevet, with illustrations of ships and sea monsters around the seas of Southeast Asia. The map's scale is decorated with cartography tools such as rulers and a compass.

A 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.

A 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.

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 map depicts Asia in the form of the mythical winged horse Pegasus, with mainland Southeast Asia being represented by the left hind leg. It is from the German theologian Heinrich Bünting's book of woodcut maps ‘Itinerarium Sacrae Scripturae’.

This map depicts Asia in the form of the mythical winged horse Pegasus, with mainland Southeast Asia being represented by the left hind leg. It is from the German theologian Heinrich Bünting's book of woodcut maps ‘Itinerarium Sacrae Scripturae’.

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.

This early German map of Asia is colour-coded by region, and features a brief description of Asia in blackletter German text. Interestingly, the Southeast Asian island of Sumatra is labelled 'Taprobana' which is the name the Greeks called Sri Lanka.

This late 16th century map by Abraham Ortelius features a network of mythical lakes that were once thought to exist in China, and which feed several rivers that flow south through mainland Southeast Asia.