Contains the full lesson along with a supporting toolkit, including teachers’ notes.
What is a map?
A dictionary defines a map as a representation of an area, usually on a flat surface. A map can be as simple as a sketch on the back of an envelope showing where the treasure is buried with no clue other than a shaky outlined island and an ‘x’ marking the spot. It can be detailed enough to precisely identify individual buildings, trees, soil types, or any other feature of interest. In this lesson we look at the evolution of mapping and mapping technologies and also at the great Irish survey of 1824 1842.
Early users of maps
Rudimentary maps have probably always been used. Star maps appear in the Lascaux caves (17,300 years old). Babylonian m aps f rom 2 300 BC depict settlements, crop fields and irrigation sources on clay tablets. Mesopotamian maps of a round 1 600 BC s how cities and tracks between fields and the built-up areas. In China around 240 BC maps were carved on plates. Polynesians wove intricate palm leaf mats showing tides, currents and islands; North Americans carved images of coastlines on bones.
To read the full lesson, download the pdf above.
Science and Technology in Action (STA) is proudly supported and partnered by some of Ireland’s leading organisations and is produced in close cooperation with the support services of the Department of Education and Skills and the Irish Science Teachers Association (ISTA).
