Time in Maps: From the Age of Discovery to Our Digital Era

Digital mapping tools have enabled a new field of spatial history, but mapmakers have long depicted time in sophisticated and nuanced ways in static maps. This collection explores how mapmakers have represented time, from the Aztecs to nineteenth-century Americans, with over one hundred color maps and illustrations.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 272 pages
\n Publication date: 23 November 2020
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
\n

The advent of digital mapping tools has revolutionized the field of spatial history, enabling researchers to visually depict the changing patterns of space over time. However, it is important to note that mapmakers have long been adept at representing time in static maps, which offer valuable insights into our understanding of the past. In this collection, historians Karen Wigen and Caroline Winterer have assembled a group of esteemed scholars to explore the various ways in which mapmakers have depicted time throughout history.

The essays in this book span a period of 500 years, covering mapmaking in Europe, the United States, and Asia. They range from the Aztecs meticulously recording the founding of Tenochtitlan to early modern Japanese artists reconstructing nostalgic landscapes before Western influence, to nineteenth-century Americans grappling with the concept of deep time. The authors demonstrate that time has consistently played a significant role in the spatial medium, shaping the way we perceive and interpret the world.

One of the key themes explored in the essays is the evolution of mapmaking techniques and the tools used to create them. From the early hand-drawn maps to the sophisticated digital tools of today, mapmakers have employed a wide range of methods to represent time. Hand-drawn maps, for instance, allowed for greater precision and detail, while digital maps offer the ability to analyze and manipulate data in unprecedented ways.

Another important aspect of the book is the defense of traditional paper maps by digital mapmaker William Rankin. Rankin argues that paper maps have their own unique qualities and advantages, such as portability, durability, and the ability to engage the senses through tactile interaction. He believes that digital maps should be seen as complementary rather than replacement tools for historical research.

The essays in Time in Maps are accompanied by over one hundred color maps and illustrations, providing a visual representation of the changing patterns of space and time throughout history. These maps not only enhance the reading experience but also allow researchers to explore the nuances and complexities of mapmaking techniques in greater detail.

Whether you are a historian, cartographer, or simply interested in the history of the world, Time in Maps is a must-read. It offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the ways in which mapmakers have depicted time, providing valuable lessons for us today. By studying the past, we can better understand the present and shape the future.

\n Weight: 1300g\n
Dimension: 229 x 261 x 31 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226718590\n \n