Flat Earth Map: An Authoritative Journey Through Historic Cartography
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A Broader Historical Perspective on Earth Depictions
Throughout recorded history, mapmakers have endeavored to portray the shape and extent of the Earth. Before the modern globe model gained dominance, many ancient civilizations and early cartographers conceptualized the Earth as flat—sometimes enclosed by an impassable boundary and often depicted with a dome-like firmament above. These beliefs were reflected not only in ancient literature and oral traditions but also in sacred texts, artistic representations, and exploratory maps. From Mesopotamia to Mesoamerica, and from early Hebrew cosmology to Norse myth, depictions of a level Earth beneath a dome or firmament were both widespread and consistent.
Many ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Hebrews, Hindus, and Norse cultures, portrayed the Earth as flat and enclosed in their cosmological diagrams, mythology, and artwork. Their texts and imagery often featured a firmament above—a solid dome separating the heavens from the Earth. These renderings were not isolated or simplistic; they reflected deeply held beliefs about the structure of the cosmos and humanity's place within it.
This collection of restored maps offers a window into those worldviews and the transitional eras that followed. Whether you’re newly exploring flat Earth ideas or have researched them extensively, the historical value and detailed work of these cartographers speak for themselves. Examining their projections, annotations, and motivations can deepen our understanding of alternative cosmologies, the intellectual environments they arose from, and their enduring legacy. The seven works presented below provide both scholarly insight and visual intrigue.
Gleason’s New Standard Map of the World (1892)
Alexander Gleason – Inventor, Thinker, Mapmaker
Alexander Gleason was a 19th‑century American civil engineer and inventor who developed this map using the azimuthal equidistant projection. Though patented as a tool for railroad scheduling, the map’s layout drew interest for its visual alignment with flat‑earth theory. It places the North Pole at the center, with continents radiating outward and Antarctica encircling the outer edge as an ice barrier.
Gleason’s map is frequently cited in modern flat‑earth discussions because it pairs mathematical precision with a straightforward, intuitive layout. This restored version includes solstice rings, illustrating how the Sun’s path changes over the course of the year—further encouraging exploration of geocentric models.
Orlando Ferguson’s Square and Stationary Earth (1893)
Orlando Ferguson – Publisher, Lecturer, and Scriptural Cosmologist
Orlando Ferguson of South Dakota created one of the most visually unique alternative‑earth maps. His 1893 work, titled “Map of the Square and Stationary Earth,” presents the world as a square surrounded by an icy border, incorporating a strong Biblical framework.
Ferguson’s map includes several Scripture references and was accompanied by lectures defending a literal interpretation of the Bible’s cosmology. While he claimed support from over 400 Bible verses, only a select few appear on the map itself. This restored edition maintains Ferguson’s intricate border design and typographic style, offering a glimpse into his passionate advocacy for a stationary, scripture‑based model of Earth.
Abizaid’s New Correct Map of the Flat Earth (1920)
John George Abizaid – Lecturer, Immigrant, and Cultural Bridge
John George Abizaid, a Syrian‑born speaker and lecturer, produced this bilingual flat‑earth map during his tours across America in the early 20th century. Bridging Arabic and English audiences, Abizaid used his map as a teaching tool while presenting his alternative cosmological views.
His map closely follows the Gleason projection but features distinct modifications, including bilingual labeling and unique interpretations of celestial movement. This version of the map restores and translates the original content, highlighting Abizaid’s role in introducing non‑Western perspectives into the flat‑earth dialogue.
Middleton’s Pioneer Map of the Ancient World (1878)
Empson Middleton – Zetetic Researcher and Biblical Historian
A follower of the Zetetic method, Empson Middleton approached cartography with an emphasis on observational evidence and biblical history. His 1878 map features a symbolic solar path and identifies regions using ancient and post‑flood nomenclature.
Middleton believed the Earth was enclosed and encircled by an “Impassable Ice” boundary. His work connects scriptural genealogies with known geography, layering religious and historical data into a flattened projection. The restored version enhances legibility and preserves Middleton’s complex annotations and careful documentation.
Polar Azimuthal Equidistant Projection (Ancient – Present)
A Timeless Projection with Ancient and Modern Use
This projection, centering the North Pole, has been used across centuries—from ancient Islamic scholars like Al‑Biruni to its inclusion in the emblem of the United Nations today. The azimuthal equidistant projection is valued for preserving proportional distances from the center outward.
While primarily a practical tool for navigation, aviation, and telecommunications, this projection also resonates with flat‑earth advocates for its depiction of Earth as a circular, enclosed plane. It serves as both a scientific instrument and a symbolic representation of a centralized world.
Buache’s Physical Planisphere (1756)
Philippe Buache - Royal Geographer of France
Philippe Buache was a pioneering French cartographer known for his innovative theories about undersea geography shaping continental structures. As Royal Geographer to the King of France, Buache developed maps that often combined science and speculation. His 1756 polar projection map offers a unique view of the Arctic, showing imagined land masses and sea channels at the North Pole.
Buache’s idea of a central polar opening and surrounding continents aligns with descriptions from various ancient sources. Although not explicitly a flat‑earth map, its polar‑centric layout departs from traditional globe depictions. This updated version of the planisphere provides translated labels and clarifies Buache’s detailed topographic and hydrological features.
Mercator’s North Pole Map and the Magnetic Black Rock (1595)
Gerardus Mercator – Legendary Cartographer and Scholar
Gerardus Mercator, a titan in cartographic history, is best known for the global Mercator projection. However, his 1595 depiction of the North Pole reveals a very different vision. This rare map shows four land masses separated by inward‑flowing rivers that meet at a magnetic black mountain—reputed to draw all compass needles.
Mercator’s description, referencing the lost book Inventio Fortunata, suggests the mountain stood “as high as the clouds” and was 33 French miles in circumference. Myths and medieval sources often speak of this central feature, also echoed in Norse cosmology. This carefully restored map brings clarity to an enigmatic piece of historical cartography.
A Gateway into Deeper Questions
These maps provide a historical lens into a time when differing cosmological views were openly explored and debated. They invite us to consider how perspectives—from empirical to theological—have shaped human understanding of the world. Whether you are beginning your exploration or refining long‑held conclusions, these works offer a thought‑provoking foundation.
Each map is printed on tear & water-resistant polypropylene for lasting study, display and designed to be easily mounted for framing.
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