Mappa Mundi - the worst world map?

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In the 13th Century, some people made this world map, and it was rubbish. Were they bad at geography? Or is there an intriguing reason behind the map's odd shapes and images?

Written and presented by
JAY FOREMAN and MARK COOPER-JONES

Edited by
JAY FOREMAN

Directed by
PAUL KENDLER

Cameras and sound by
JESS LAMB
ROBIN KAY
MATT WARD
EMMA LANGLEY

Facilities provided by
SHIFT 4

[ReubenWallOFFICIAL]

Can't believe that taxi driver wouldn't take you to Babylon, his fare would have been insane

[animationguy]

The biscuit eating at 1:49 was simply incredible...

[jacobmacaree]

"i'm very fucking clever"
amazing

[gnualmafuerte]

That is absolutely NOT ptolemy's map. That is known as the "Admiral's map" and it's from 1541. The mistake comes from the fact it was shown in a compendium/translation of Ptolemy's works that included other annotations, from the 1500s. This map was an annotation, not original work from 100AD.

[EmmaLiza]

"It's just a map, what harm could it do?" - European colonial powers drawing borders

[PiousMoltar]

Mark.
Tube map.
Taxi.
"I'm trying to get to Babylon."
Gold.

[joewalker]

0:46 to 0:51 quintessential British arguing.

[keyevanoordt]

Don't know if it's been mentioned in the comments already but the bearded figure with mixed genitalia, a turban and a single breast is probably mythical figure Tiresias who slapped a pair of snakes and got turned into a woman for 7 years.

Tiresias also became clairvoyant after being blinded by Juno for taking Zeus's side in an argument they were having about whether men or women have the better end of sex, asking Tiresias to settle the argument because he had experience living as both.

[stationshelter]

Whoever subtitled this in latin is a real G

[MrCheesysmell]

Yo guys I did a bit of research into that map and I think it was a typo on the source's date. It's meant to say 1500 I think as that's when that map was supposed to have been drawn. Not to mention Ptolemy used to call Africa "Lybia".

[BrazenSolar]

I had an entire school year in primary school dedicated to the mappa mundi, because I live in Herefordshire.

[TRRailfan]

1:31 “I’m trying to get to Babylon” I’M DYING

[hotelmario]

"It's almost a good enough reason to visit Hereford."
"Hereford's nice!"
"No it's not."
"It's alright."
"Never been."

Yep, that pretty much sums up most discourse on the Internet these days

[tassie]

I still recall to this day my very first lesson in military map reading where we were informed that:

"A map is a representation of a portion of the earths surface, drawn to scale, normally on paper, showing both natural and artificial features"

I guess some things are just embedded for life.

[billyrobertson]

So this map is essentially the same as Dante's Comedy
- Portrays geography inaccurately
- Has the purpose of persuading people to be better Christians
- Occasionally has references to Greek mythology
- Is old

[AymanTravelTransport]

I've just been to that exhibit in Hereford yesterday; very fascinating piece of history! The city itself is actually surprisingly great to walk around in, with a massive variety of independent shops and eateries (you're spoilt for choice really) around historic pedestrianised streets and squares.

[lineikatabs]

I love your sense of humor! Making people learn by making them laugh, you're amazing.

[sicklendhammerstudio]

I'm pretty sure you can get to Babylon on the DLR can't you?

[frankhan]

- So you could say the map is a guide for how to get to heaven.
- I think we are in Ealing...

I'M DEAD

[gtsnowracer]

The timing between the two of you is flawless! Such a great show!