Hidden secrets of 1491 world map revealed via multispectral imaging

Phys.Org ^ | 06-12-2015 | Mike Cummings

[Red Badger]

This map of the world drawn by Henricus Martellus in about 1491 was donated to Yale in 1962. Its faded condition has stymied researchers for decades

The multispectral image of the map reveals text and details invisible to the naked eye.

The multispectral images show previously lost details in Martellus' depiction Africa that suggest the German cartographer used data from African sources, not European explorations.

A text box in the Indian Ocean warns of the orca, "a sea monster that is like the sun when it shines, whose form can hardly be described, except that its skin is soft and its body huge."

This text found in northern Africa says "Here there are large wildernesses in which there are lions, large leopards, and many other animals different from ours."

Text in the southern Asia portion of the map describes the "Panotii" people, who purportedly had ears that were so large they could use them as sleeping bags.

[Red Badger]

PinGGG!......................

[gorush]

Neat! Thanks.

[Red Badger]

Text in the southern Asia portion of the map describes the "Panotii" people, who purportedly had ears that were so large they could use them as sleeping bags.

Now we know where Obama's ancestors lived....................

[Obadiah]

...describe people as having ears so large that they could use them as sleeping bags.

Obama?

[Red Badger]

Obviously his ancestors......................

[Richard from IL]

Thanks for posting this. Roger Easton is my brother.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Obama’s progeny discovered.

[OttawaFreeper]

A few years ago, I read a book about the Dutch cartographer Mercator. Very fascinating read, so I also enjoyed having a read here as well.

[Red Badger]

Cartologophile?..................

[Red Badger]

Obviously Columbus needed GPS. He died still thinking he was in Asia.......................

[OttawaFreeper]

Something like that I guess, lol.

[TangibleDisgust]

Text in the southern Asia portion of the map describes the "Panotii" people, who purportedly had ears that were so large they could use them as sleeping bags.

well, that helps settle some of Obama's ancestral lineage. ;)

[Kartographer]

No need to ping me! ;-)

[Red Badger]

My spell checker didn’t flag the word, so I guess it’s real..................

[antidisestablishment]

This is truly a wondrous age we live in!

Thanks for the article.

[Red Badger]

Notice how the map is curved upwards at the ends. That tells me that they KNEW the world was round, even before Columbus.........

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Red Badger. This will be the weekly Digest ping as well.

[minnesota_bound]

Where’s Atlantis?

[Red Badger]

In the Bahamas.................