Systema ideale quo exprimitur, aquarum per canales hydragogos subterraneos ex mari et in montium hydrophylacia protrusio, aquarumq[ue] subterrestrium per pyragogos canales concoctus


Systema ideale quo exprimitur, aquarum per canales hydragogos subterraneos ex mari et in montium hydrophylacia protrusio, aquarumq[ue] subterrestrium per pyragogos canales concoctus

Item Information

Title:
Systema ideale quo exprimitur, aquarum per canales hydragogos subterraneos ex mari et in montium hydrophylacia protrusio, aquarumq[ue] subterrestrium per pyragogos canales concoctus
Description:
Beneath Our Feet: Created by Jesuit priest and scholar Athanasius Kircher, this intriguing map of the earth was included in his 1665 treatise “Mundus Subterraneus.” Kircher’s early theories combined religion and science, and looked to Scripture for evidence in Earth’s formation. This map depicts all bodies of water on Earth connected by a system of underground waterways. Oceanic whirlpools feed these channels, while mountain springs derive water from these resources, creating a cycle of water above and below ground. Kircher also placed a large ball of fire in the center of the earth, suggesting that this inferno causes lava and water to rise from Earth’s interior.
Cartographer:
Kircher, Athanasius, 1602-1680
Date:
[1668?]
Format:
Maps/Atlases
Location:
Boston Public Library
Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center
Collection (local):
Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center Collection
Subjects:
Geology--Early works to 1800
Volcanism--Early works to 1800
World maps--Early works to 1800
Places:
World
Extent:
1 map : hand color ; 33 x 41 cm
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Publisher:
[Amstelodami] : [Apud Joannem Janssonium & Elizeum Weyerstraten]
Scale:
Not drawn to scale
Language:
Latin
Notes:
Map shows a cross-section of the earth's interior with magma core and underground water sources. Earth's surface shown with oceans, land, erupting volcano and ship. Clouds and four wind-heads surround sphere, with decorative title cartouche above and Latin text below.
Volume and page number (Tomus I.175) appear in upper right corner.
From: Mundus subterraneus ... Amstelodami : Apud Joannem Janssonium & Elizeum Weyerstraten, [1668?].
Notes (exhibitions):
Exhibited: "Beneath Our Feet: Mapping the World Below" organized by the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library, 2017-2018.
Exhibited: "Beneath Our Feet" organized by the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library, 2017.
Identifier:
06_01_016042
Call #:
G3201.C55 1668 .K57
Barcode:
39999085942918