POT: Chapter 8

Chapter 8: A New Approach to Ancient Maps: Time and Space Intersect

Ancient Maps and Their Connection to Timekeeping

Ancient maps were not simply tools for representing physical space; they were often deeply connected to the understanding of time. Maps in ancient civilizations were as much about navigating the world of time as they were about navigating the physical world. The concept of longitude and latitude, while formalized much later, was an idea that may have been understood in early, rudimentary forms by those with the knowledge of timekeeping and celestial observation.

Priests, with their specialized knowledge of celestial bodies and time, may have been some of the earliest mapmakers. They would have understood that the position of the sun, stars, and moon could not only help determine the time of day but also the geographical location on Earth. A priest's ability to estimate the time of day and to calculate the time difference between two locations based on their observations of the sun's position could have given them the foundation for mapping the world in a way that others did not fully understand.

Ancient maps often carried with them symbolic elements that were tied to the divine or celestial, not merely serving as geographic representations but as spiritual guides. The intersection of time and space in these maps was something that the priests would have understood intuitively, linking the cyclical passage of time with the stars' movement and the geography of the Earth.

How Priests Might Have Used Both Time and Spatial Knowledge for Accurate Mapping

By leveraging their internal timekeeping systems, priests could measure the passage of time with remarkable accuracy. Knowing when local noon occurred—determined by the position of the sun in the sky—gave them the ability to calculate time differences relative to other known locations. This knowledge would have been crucial for navigation, both on land and at sea, as well as for the accurate positioning of geographic features on maps.

In the context of long-distance travel or maritime exploration, the priest’s knowledge of time—calibrated by counting heartbeats—would allow them to gauge how much time had passed since a known point, like local noon in a reference location. By comparing the local noon at the point of departure to that of their current location, they could estimate the time difference and, from there, deduce how far east or west they had traveled. This calculation, in turn, could be used to position themselves accurately on a map.

It is possible that priests used this combination of time and space to produce early forms of maps that were less about purely geographic representation and more about understanding the relationship between time, space, and divine order. The result was not only a physical map but a map that embedded the passage of time within its structure.

Exploring the Relationship Between Time, Geography, and the 'Divine'

The idea that time and geography could be intertwined in ancient maps is supported by the spiritual and philosophical framework that shaped many early civilizations. Time itself was often seen as a divine force, with celestial events—such as the rising and setting of the sun, the movement of the stars, and the changing of the seasons—believed to be manifestations of the divine will.

In ancient cultures, the priesthood was tasked with interpreting these celestial cycles and understanding how they influenced human affairs. Time, in this context, was not just a measure of hours and days but a cosmic rhythm that governed the very fabric of existence. Therefore, maps created by priests may have reflected not only physical geography but also this deeper, metaphysical understanding of time and the divine order.

By using both time and spatial knowledge, priests could have developed a more holistic map of the world, one that accounted for both the physical geography of places and the cosmic, divine order that shaped the world’s rhythms. These maps would have been more than just tools for navigation—they were sacred representations of the relationship between humanity, the Earth, and the cosmos.

The role of timekeeping in ancient maps suggests that the act of navigation, whether by sea or land, was not only a practical necessity but a spiritual journey as well. The movement of the stars and the sun, the calculation of longitude and latitude, and the mapping of the Earth were all part of a larger, divine plan that priests were tasked with understanding and interpreting. As such, these maps were more than just representations of physical space—they were embodiments of time itself, interwoven with the spiritual fabric of the ancient world.