How did the European mapmakers create accurate maps?  During the Age of Exploration, Martin Waldseemuller published his 1507 World Map.  He lived in St. Die, France and depended on travelers and explorers like Columbus and Vespucci for data.  Not that the information was easy to obtain.  Each country jealousy guarded their hard won knowledge.

The Age of Exploration Database pulls together the early days of European journeys near the equator to the later visits to the poles.  Eleven libraries share original documents, maps, and video of these travels.  By using these primary sources, users can explore ten themes including:  New Territories, Life at Sea and Indigenous People.

The database provides an interactive timeline running from 1390 and the rise of Portugal to the 1900’s and Shackleton’s death during the Quest Expedition to Antarctica.  It can be filtered by region and topic of interest.  A list of items can be produced for printing.

Another cool feature is the interactive map.  It provides a list of explorers and will automatically play through on the globe with their expedition routes.  Select a Commander or a Nationality and  look at individual static maps with the voyages and ports marked.  (This works animated too.)  The data can be downloaded into a csv. file.

The media gallery provides thumbnail views of a wide assortment of documents.  These can be filtered two ways, either by categories including maps, drawings, photos or by themes including customs, navigation and surveying.  Images can be saved as a pdf or a slide show created.

Advanced searching is possible, but perhaps the Search Directories may suggest more unusual topics —  abandoned ship, aurora borealis, musical instruments, mutiny, and log book.  Once chosen, the search function will provide a list with thumbnails and the option to limit the search further by region, theme and date.  Also provided is the name of the holding Library.

By the early 20th Century, mapmakers still needed explorers to provide information.  But the time known as the Age of Exploration was closing.  New techniques in mapping would be developed as the world passed through two world wars and into the Space Age.

What would Martin Waldseemuller think about Google Maps?

***PLEASE NOTE:  This database is for OSU faculty, staff, students, and users in library ONLY***