The Mysteries Of The Marco Polo Maps: Uncovering the Secrets of the Ancient Explorer

For centuries, the name Marco Polo has been synonymous with adventure, exploration, and the discovery of new lands. The Italian merchant traveler, along with his renowned book "The Travels of Marco Polo," introduced Europe to the wonders of the East and brought the mysteries of far-off civilizations to the doorstep of the Western world.

The Journey Begins

Born in Venice in 1254, Marco Polo embarked on a journey that would shape the course of history. Accompanied by his father Niccolò and uncle Maffeo, the Polos embarked on a daring expedition to the far reaches of Asia.

Over the course of their overland journey through the treacherous Silk Road, the Polo family encountered numerous fascinating cultures, resourceful traders, and awe-inspiring sights. From the sprawling cities of the Silk Road to the expanse of the Mongol Empire, their adventure was nothing short of extraordinary.

The Mysteries of the Marco Polo Maps

by Benjamin B. Olshin (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27996 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	222 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Mapping the Unknown

One of the remarkable aspects of Marco Polo's travels was his meticulous cartography. During his time in the service of Kublai Khan, the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire, Marco Polo diligently documented the lands he explored.

These maps, while rudimentary by modern standards, provided Western cartographers and explorers with their first glimpses of the mysterious East. They fueled the imaginations of future adventurers and served as invaluable resources for subsequent expeditions.

The Marco Polo Maps: Lost and Found

Despite their immense historical significance, Marco Polo's original maps were lost to the sands of time. For centuries, scholars and historians worked tirelessly to decipher the secrets hidden within his travelogue, hoping to catch a glimpse of the lost maps.

However, it wasn't until a chance discovery in a dusty Venetian attic that the world was once again captivated by the allure of the Marco Polo maps. In the late 19th century, a pair of ancient parchment maps was found, bearing remarkable similarities to the descriptions found in Polo's book.

Unraveling the Enigma

Since their rediscovery, the Marco Polo maps have captivated scholars, historians, and adventurers alike. These ancient documents provide a tantalizing glimpse into the world as Marco Polo saw it, shedding light on the mystique of distant lands and perplexing cultures.

The process of unraveling the secrets hidden within the maps has been a painstaking one. Scholars have meticulously studied the symbols, annotations, and unique geographical features depicted in the maps, striving to recreate the journeys of Marco Polo.

The Controversial Debate

As with any historical discovery, the Marco Polo maps have not been without controversy. Some skeptics argue that the recently discovered maps are mere forgeries or copies of later imitations.

However, defenders of the maps argue that the remarkable accuracy of the details, along with Polo's own accounts, lend credibility to their authenticity. The ongoing debate continues to fuel the intrigue surrounding these ancient artifacts.

The Legacy of Marco Polo

Regardless of the outcome of the controversial debate, there is no denying the indelible mark Marco Polo left on the world. His travels opened the door for future explorers and cartographers, forever altering the way we view the world.

The Mysteries of the Marco Polo Maps continue to captivate the imagination of adventurers and scholars alike. They serve as a testament to the power of exploration, the allure of the unknown, and the enduring legacy of one of history's greatest travelers.

The Mysteries of the Marco Polo Maps

by Benjamin B. Olshin (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	27996 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	222 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

What’s the truth behind the travels of Marco Polo? “A fascinating tale about maps, history and exploration.”—Times Literary Supplement (UK)
 
In the thirteenth century, Italian merchant and explorer Marco Polo traveled from Venice to the far reaches of Asia, a journey he chronicled in a narrative titled Il Milione, later known as The Travels of Marco Polo. While Polo’s writings would go on to inspire the likes of Christopher Columbus, scholars have long debated their veracity. Some have argued that Polo never even reached China—while others believe that he came as far as the Americas.
 
Now, there’s new evidence for this historical puzzle: a very curious collection of fourteen little-known maps and related documents said to have belonged to the family of Marco Polo himself. Here, historian of cartography Benjamin B. Olshin offers the first credible book-length analysis of these artifacts, charting their course from obscure origins in the private collection of Italian-American immigrant Marcian Rossi in the 1930s; to investigations of their authenticity by the Library of Congress, J. Edgar Hoover, and the FBI; to the work of the late cartographic scholar Leo Bagrow; to Olshin’s own efforts to track down and study the Rossi maps, all but one of which are in the possession of Rossi’s great-grandson. Are the maps forgeries, facsimiles, or modernized copies? Did Marco Polo’s daughters—whose names appear on several of the artifacts—preserve in them geographic information about Asia first recorded by their father? Or did they inherit maps created by him? Did Marco Polo entrust the maps to an admiral with links to Rossi’s family line? Or, if the maps have no connection to Marco Polo, who made them, when, and why?

Regardless of the maps’ provenance, this tale takes us on a fascinating journey, offering insights into Italian history, the age of exploration, and the wonders of cartography.
 
“Olshin’s book tugs powerfully at the imagination of anybody interested in the Polo story, medieval history, old maps, geographical ideas, European voyages of discovery, and early Chinese legends.”—The Wall Street Journal