I discovered an exceptional collection of rare maps of the Arabian Peninsula in Portuguese and Dutch archives dating from the 16th and 17th centuries.
**Key Discoveries:**
1. **Portuguese Map (1521)** - from Lisbon Archive
- Shows the western coast of Arabia in precise detail
- Identifies commercial port locations: Jeddah, Yanbu, Al-Wajh
- Contains Portuguese notes about trade routes
2. **Dutch Map (1658)** - from Amsterdam Archive (VOC)
- Shows the eastern coast and ports: Al-Qatif, Al-Ahsa, Hormuz
- Notes about pearl and date trade
3. **Ottoman Atlas (1732)** - from Topkapi Library
- Detailed maps of Hijaz and Najd
- Shows pilgrimage routes and caravan stations
These maps provide geographical and commercial information not available in known Arabic sources.
I am preparing a comparative study and welcome collaboration.
Replies (3)
D
Dr. Ahmad Al-OmariResearcher· King Abdulaziz Foundation
#1 · March 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Amazing discovery, Sarah! The Portuguese map in particular is very valuable because it may be one of the oldest European maps depicting Arabian coasts in such detail.
Can you share high-resolution digital images? Darah is currently working on the Historical Atlas of the Arabian Peninsula project and these maps would be an invaluable addition.
I will contact Darah's Collections department to discuss obtaining official copies.
D
Dr. Fatimah Al-ZahraniResearcher· King Saud University
#2 · March 12, 2024 at 03:30 PM
I know that the French National Library (BnF) also contains rare Arabian maps drawn by Muslim travelers and cartographers. I can facilitate access to some through research cooperation agreements between King Saud University and the library.
Among the most important is Al-Idrisi's map (12th century) showing Arabia and trade routes.
K
Khalid Al-ShammariResearcher· Center for History & Genealogy
#3 · March 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM
From a genealogical perspective, these maps are very valuable because they show names of regions and cities that may have changed over time. This helps us determine tribal and family homelands more precisely.
I suggest creating a comparison table between place names in these maps and their current names.
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