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[[File:Madaba map.jpg|thumb|
The '''Madaba Map,''' also known as the '''Madaba Mosaic Map
The It contains the oldest surviving original [[cartography|cartographic]] depiction of the [[Holy Land]] and especially [[Jerusalem]]. ==History==
[[File:
The Madaba Mosaic Map depicts Jerusalem with the [[New Church of the Theotokos]], which was dedicated on 20 November 542. Buildings erected in Jerusalem after 570 are absent from the depiction, thus limiting the date range of its creation to the period between 542 and 570.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Keyser |first1=Paul T. |last2=Scarborough |first2=John |title=The Oxford Handbook of Science and Medicine in the Classical World |date=2018 |publisher=Oxford UP |location=Oxford |page=937 |isbn=978-0-19-973414-6 |url=https://
In 614, Madaba was conquered by the [[Sasanian Empire]]. In the eighth century, the ruling Muslim [[Umayyad Caliphate]] had some figural motifs removed from the mosaic. In 746, Madaba was largely destroyed by an earthquake and subsequently abandoned.
[[File:Madaba map mosaic, Jordan LOC matpc.09320.tif|thumb|
In the following decades, large portions of the mosaic map were damaged by fires, activities in the new church, and by the effects of moisture. In December 1964, the [[Volkswagen]] Foundation gave the ''Deutscher Verein zur Erforschung Palästinas'' (lit. "German Association for the Exploration of Palestine") 90,000 [[Deutschmark|DM]] to save the mosaic. In 1965, the archaeologists Heinz Cüppers and Heinrich Brandt undertook the restoration and conservation of the remaining parts of the mosaic.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Donner |first1=Herbert |title=The Mosaic Map of Madaba: An Introductory Guide |date=1992 |publisher=Pharos |location=Kampen |page=12 |isbn=978-90-390-0011-3 |url=https://
==Description==
[[File:Sapsaphas Madaba.jpg|thumb|Place of [[John the Baptist]]'s baptism at the mouth of the [[Jordan (river)|Jordan]] and a (nearly-obliterated) lion hunting a gazelle]]
The floor mosaic is located in the [[apse]] of the church of Saint George at Madaba. It is not oriented northward, as modern maps are, but faces east toward the [[altar]] in such a fashion that the position of places on the map coincides with the compass directions. Originally, it measured 21 by 7 m and contained more than two million ''[[tesserae]]''.<ref>[http://www.uni-bonn.de/Aktuelles/Publikationen/forsch/forsch_4_November_2005/bilder/Kultur.pdf Ute Friederich: ''Antike Kartographie''] {{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
===Topographic representation===
The mosaic map depicts an area from [[Lebanon]] in the north to the [[Nile Delta]] in the south, and from the [[Mediterranean Sea]] in the west to the [[Eastern Desert]]. Among other features, it depicts the [[Dead Sea]] with two fishing boats, a variety of bridges linking the banks of the [[Jordan (river)|Jordan]], fish swimming in the river and receding from the Dead Sea; a [[lion]] (rendered nearly unrecognisable by the insertion of random tesserae during a period of [[iconoclasm]]) hunting a [[gazelle]] in the [[Moab]] desert, [[palmtree|palm]]-ringed [[Jericho]], [[Bethlehem]], and other [[bible|biblical]]-Christian sites. The map may partially have served to facilitate pilgrims' orientation in the Holy Land.{{Citation needed|date=August 2018}} All landscape units are labelled with explanations in [[Greek language|Greek]]. The mosaic's references to the tribes of Israel, toponymy, as well as its use of quotations of biblical passages, indicate that the artist who laid out the mosaic used the ''[[Onomasticon (Eusebius)|Onomasticon]]'' of [[Eusebius]] (fourth-century AD) as a primary source. A combination of folding perspective and an aerial view depicts approximately 150 towns and villages, all
The largest and most detailed element of the topographic depiction is Jerusalem ({{lang-gr|ΙΕΡΟΥΣΑ[ΛΉΜ]}}), at the centre of the map. The mosaic clearly shows a number of significant structures in the [[Old City of Jerusalem]]: the [[Damascus Gate]], the [[Lions' Gate]], the [[Golden Gate (Jerusalem)|Golden Gate]], the [[Zion Gate]], the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre]], the [[Nea Ekklesia of the Theotokos|New Church of the Theotokos]], the [[Tower of David]], and the [[Cardo#Jerusalem|''Cardo Maximus'']]. On Jerusalem's southwest side is shown ''Acel Dama'' (lit. "field of blood"), from Christian liturgy. The recognisable depiction of the urban topography makes the mosaic a key source on Byzantine Jerusalem. Also unique are the detailed depictions of cities such as [[Nablus#Flavia Neapolis|Neapolis]], [[Askalon]], [[Gaza City|Gaza]], [[Pelusium]], and [[Kerak|Charachmoba]], all of them nearly detailed enough to be described as [[street map]]s. Other designated sites include:
*[[Archelais]] ({{lang-gr|ΑΡΧΕΛΑΙϹ}});
*[[Ashdod-Yam|Azotos Paralos]] (Ashdod-Coast) ({{lang-gr|ΑΖΩΤΟΣΠΑΡΑΛΣ}});
*[[Deir Hajla|Beit-ḥagla]] ({{lang-gr|ΒΗΘΑΓΛΑ}});
*[[Innaba|Beth Annaba]] ({{lang-gr|ΒΕΤΟΑΝΝΑΒΑ}});
*[[Khirbet Beit Zakariyyah|Beth Zachar[ias]]] ({{lang-gr|ΒΕΘΖΑΧΑΡ[ΊΟΥ]}});
*[[Bethlehem]] ({{lang-gr|ΒΗΘΛΕΕΜ }});
*[[Bethoron]] ({{lang-gr|Βεθωρων}});
*[[Wadi al-Far'a (river)|Coreae]] ({{lang-gr|ΚΟΡΕΟΥΣ}});<ref>Where is now the "Old Roman Bridge" ([[Arabic]]: ''Mukatta' Damieh''), near the confluence of the watercourse ''[[Zarqa River|Naḥal Yabok]]'', not far from Wadi Fara'a, and which once marked the entry into Judea when one passes over the midland countries.</ref>
*[[Gibeon (ancient city)|Gibeon]] ({{lang-gr|ΓΑΒΑΩΝ}});
*The Great Plain ({{lang-gr|ΡΟΣΔΑΝ}}), literally meaning, "The Tribe of Dan";<ref>Beside which is inscribed a verse taken from Judges 5:17, "Why did Dan remain in ships?"</ref>
*[[Yibna|Jamnia]] ({{lang-gr|ΊΑΒΝΗΛΗΚΑΙΊΑΜΝΙΑ}}) (Lit. "Jabneel, which is also Jamnia").
*[[Jericho]] ({{lang-gr|Ίεριχω}});
*[[Lod|Lydda]] ({{lang-gr|ΛΩΔΗ}});
*[[Maresha]] ({{lang-gr|ΜΟΡΑΣΘΙ}});<ref>{{cite book |author-last=Donner |author-first=Herbert|title=The Mosaic Map of Madaba: An Introductory Guide |publisher=Kok Pharos Publishing House |series=Palaestina antiqua 7 |location=Kampen, the Netherlands|year=1995 |edition=2 |page=22|language=en |isbn=90-390-0011-5 |oclc=636083006 }}. This particular entry has inscribed in Greek uncials: "Morasthi, whence was [[Micah (prophet)|Micah]] the prophet." The text is said to have been borrowed from [[Eusebius]]' ''[[Onomasticon (Eusebius)|Onomasticon]]''.</ref>
*[[Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut|Modi'im]] ({{lang-gr|ΜΩΔΕΕΙΜ}});
*[[Emmaus Nicopolis|Nicopolis]] ({{lang-gr|ΝΙΚΟΠΟΛΙΣ}});
*[[Al-Ram|Rama]] ({{lang-gr|ΡΑΜΑ}});
*[[Tell es-Safi|Saphitha]] ({{lang-gr|CΑΦΙΘΑ}});<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kallai-Kleinmann|first=Z.|title=The Town Lists of Judah, Simeon, Benjamin and Dan|journal=[[Vetus Testamentum]]|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden |volume=8|issue=2 |page=155 |year=1958|doi=10.2307/1516086 |jstor=1516086|language=en }}</ref>
*Socho ({{lang-gr|Σωχω}}), now ''Kh. Shuweikah'' (southwest of [[Hebron]]);
One site represented on the map that is no longer extant are the stones at [[Gilgal]]l which are clearly represented on the Madaba Map and may be hidden underneath one of the churches in Qas'r Al-Yahud<ref>{{cite web | url=https://mishpacha.com/where-our-fathers-left-off/ | title=Where Our Fathers Left off | date=12 July 2022 }}</ref> Many of these sites are marked on the mosaic map with various artistic vignettes representing the site in the Province of [[Palestina Tertia]]. For example, Jericho and [[Zoara|Zoar]] ({{lang-gr|ΖΟΟΡΑ}}) are, both, represented by vignettes of [[date palm]] orchards.<ref>{{cite book |author-last=Dalman|author-first=Gustaf |author-link=Gustaf Dalman |title=Work and Customs in Palestine |volume=I/1 |translator=Nadia Abdulhadi Sukhtian |location=Ramallah|publisher=Dar Al Nasher |year=2013 |language=en |page=65 (note 4) |url=https://www.amazon.com/Customs-Palestine-Translation-Gustaf-2013-08-02/dp/B01K3MCDFE |oclc=1040774903|isbn=978-9950-385-00-9}}</ref> Zoar is seen on the far south-eastern side of the [[Dead Sea]].
==Scientific significance==
The mosaic map of Madaba is the oldest known geographic floor mosaic in [[art history]]. It is used heavily for the localisation and verification of biblical sites. Study of the map played a major role in answering the question of the topographical location of [[Ashkelon|Askalon]] (''Asqalan'' on the map).<ref>
In 1967, excavations in the [[Jewish Quarter (Jerusalem)|Jewish Quarter]] of Jerusalem revealed the Nea Church and the ''Cardo Maximus'' in the very locations suggested by the Madaba Map.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111021010325/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/History/Early%20History%20-%20Archaeology/Jerusalem-%20the%20Nea%20Church%20and%20the%20Cardo ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES NO. 5 Jerusalem- the Nea Church and the Cardo]</ref>
In February 2010, excavations further substantiated its accuracy with the discovery of a road depicted in the map that runs through the center of Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/10/jerusalem.road.discovery/index.html?hpt=T2 | work=CNN | title=Archaeologists find Byzantine era road | date=11 February 2010}}</ref> According to the map, the main entrance to the city was through a large gate opening into a wide central street. Until the discovery, archaeologists were not able to excavate this site due to heavy pedestrian traffic. In the wake of infrastructure work near the [[Jaffa Gate]], large paving stones were discovered at a depth of four meters below ground that prove such a road existed.<ref>
==Copies of the
* The Archaeological Institute of [[Göttingen University]] contains a copy of the map in its archive collections. This copy was produced during the conservation work at Madaba in 1965 by archaeologists of the [[Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier|Rheinisches Landesmuseum]], [[Trier]].
* A copy produced by students of the ''Madaba Mosaic School'' is in the foyer of the [[Akademisches Kunstmuseum]] at [[Bonn]].
* The entrance lobby of the [[YMCA]] in Jerusalem has a small replica of the Jerusalem part of the map incorporated in
==See also==
* [[Early Byzantine mosaics in the Middle East]]
* [[Umm ar-Rasas mosaics]]
* [[Eusebius]] of Caesarea
*
* [[Egeria (pilgrim)|Egeria]]
* [[Jerome]]
* [[Anonymous pilgrim of Piacenza]]
* [[Chronicon Paschale]]
* [[John of Würzburg]]
==References==
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==Bibliography==
===Early sources===
* {{cite journal | author = Abel, F.-M.|authorlink=Félix-Marie Abel| title = Le Sud Palestinien d'apres la carte mosaique de Madaba| url=https://digital.soas.ac.uk/AA00000665/00004/119x| journal = Journal of the Palestine Oriental Society| volume =IV | year=1924 |pages=[https://digital.soas.ac.uk/AA00000665/00004/119x 107]-[https://digital.soas.ac.uk/AA00000665/00004/129x 117]|language=French}}
* {{cite journal|title=JÉRUSALEM D'APRÈS LA MOSAÏQUE DE MADABA|last=Lagrange|first =M.-J.|authorlink=Marie-Joseph Lagrange|journal=Revue Biblique|volume= 6|issue= 3|date=July 1897|
* Palmer, P.; Dr. [[Hermann Guthe (theologian)|Guthe]] (1906), [https://archive.org/details/diemosaikkartevo00deut/page/n3 Die Mosaikkarte von Madeba], Im Auftrage des Deutschen Vereins zur Erforschung Palätinas
===Later sources===
* {{citation |last=Leal
* Madden, Andrew M., "A New Form of Evidence to Date the Madaba Map Mosaic," ''Liber Annuus'' 62 (2012), 495-513.
* [[Frank Nigel Hepper|Hepper, Nigel]]; [[Joan E. Taylor|Taylor, Joan]], "Date Palms and Opobalsam in the Madaba Mosaic Map," ''Palestine Exploration Quarterly'', 136,1 (April 2004), 35-44.
* Herbert Donner: ''The Mosaic Map of Madaba''. Kok Pharos Publishing House, Kampen 1992, {{ISBN|90-390-0011-5}}
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* Michele Piccirillo: ''Chiese e mosaici di Madaba''. Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, Collectio maior 34, Jerusalem 1989 (Arabische Edition: ''Madaba. Kana'is wa fusayfasa''', Jerusalem 1993)
* Kenneth Nebenzahl: ''Maps of the Holy Land, images of Terra Sancta through two millennia''. Abbeville Press, New York 1986, {{ISBN|0-89659-658-3}}
* Adolf Jacoby: ''Das geographische Mosaik von Madaba, Die älteste Karte des Heiligen Landes''.
* [[Kurt Weitzmann|Weitzmann, Kurt]], ed., ''[http://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15324coll10/id/156533 Age of spirituality: late antique and early Christian art, third to seventh century]'', no. 523, 1979, [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]], New York, {{ISBN|9780870991790}}
==External links==
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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091029033327/http://geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/1631/madaba_map.html Byzantine Jerusalem and the Madaba Map]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130916010350/http://www.bibleplaces.com/madabamap.htm Madaba Map] at Bibleplaces.com
{{Medieval travelogues of Palestine}}{{Authority control}}
[[Category:
[[Category:Medieval history of Jordan]]
[[Category:Medieval Jerusalem]]
[[Category:Byzantine mosaics]]
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