Catherine PORTER | Keith LILLEY | Christopher LLOYD | Siobhan MCDERMOTT | Rebecca MILLIGAN
(Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK)

Keywords: GIS, history of cartography, regression analysis, Great Britain, Ireland

Abstract:
Understanding the processes by which early maps were created and the interconnections of maps and map makers is key to broadening our knowledge of map history and cartographic science. Since in many cases little is recorded by contemporaries about the methods and techniques used by map makers in Renaissance Europe, the most significant revealing evidence lies in the maps themselves. This paper draws on data collected across three UK research projects centred on analysing, untangling and evaluating the relationships between maps and map makers of sixteenth century Great Britain and Ireland. Using GIS, ‘Place’ features (written in Latin, Gaelic, Welsh and English) derived from a large suite of maps were digitised and added to one centralised geo-historical gazetteer. Employing robust quantitative methods including statistical regression procedures, distortion measures and displacement modelling, the maps were analysed and compared to reveal significant insights into the cartographic connections and the map making processes of Renaissance Europe. Through combining three historical geography research projects that employ these analytical methods to compare maps of the sixteenth century depicting Great Britain and Ireland, the paper highlights that digital methods, used in combination with more traditional forms of qualitative enquiry, provide a new instrument for deciphering and conserving histories of cartography.

Relevance for the conference: This paper explores methods for analysing early cartography, core to cultural and visual heritage
Relevance for the session: This session welcomes papers related to GIS, spatial analysis and heritage, each of which this paper contains.
Innovation: This paper discusses the only project to be analysing such a large suite of early maps using robust qualitative and quantitative techniques and analyses.
References:
• Lilley, K.L. & Porter, C. (2013) MAPPING WORLDS? EXCAVATING CARTOGRAPHIC ENCOUNTERS IN PLANTATION IRELAND THROUGH GIS, Historical Geography, pp:35-38
• Lilley, K. D., Lloyd, C. D. & Campbell, B. M. S. (2009) Mapping the realm: A New Look at the Gough Map of Britain (c.1360), Imago Mundi: The International Journal for the History of Cartography. 61, 1, pp. 1-28.