Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Madaba Map

The Madaba Map is a sixth-century Byzantine mosaic floor depicting the Holy Land and surrounding regions in intricate detail, located in the nave of the Church of St. George in Madaba, Jordan. Composed of over one million tesserae in more than eight colors, it illustrates a bird's-eye view of Palestine from modern-day Lebanon to Egypt's Nile Delta, centering on the Jordan River and Dead Sea, with representations of cities, villages, landscapes, flora, fauna, and over 150 Greek inscriptions labeling key sites. The map, originally spanning approximately 1,000 square feet or more but now fragmented with the surviving portion measuring about 35 by 15 feet (525 square feet) due to damage, showcases remarkable cartographic accuracy for its era, drawing from biblical texts, historical accounts like Eusebius's Onomasticon, and local knowledge. Discovered in 1884 by local Greek Orthodox residents while clearing land for the reconstruction of the Church of St. George, the mosaic was first documented in the early after initial reports of its existence. Created during the reign of Emperor (r. 527–565 CE), likely between 542 and 565 CE, it reflects the Byzantine Empire's flourishing and culture in the region, possibly serving as a theological illustration of salvation history or a practical guide for pilgrims. The map suffered damage over centuries, including possible defacement during the iconoclastic policies of Caliph in the eighth century, and was further fragmented by fires and construction in the nineteenth century. Major restorations occurred in the under archaeologists Cüppers and Herbert Donner, preserving its core elements for study and display. As the oldest extant map of the , the Madaba Map holds profound historical and archaeological significance, offering unparalleled insights into sixth-century geography, , and religious life in under Byzantine rule. Its detailed portrayal of —featuring 19 towers, six gates, three main streets, and prominent churches like the and the Nea Church (consecrated in 543 CE)—has aided modern excavations, such as confirming the ancient course of the road in 2010. The mosaic also highlights over two dozen other cities and monasteries, emphasizing the Christian sacred landscape and routes, while its artistic style aligns with broader late antique traditions of topographic s in and the . Today, it attracts scholars and visitors as a testament to early Christian and .

History and Discovery

Creation and Early Context

The Madaba Map was created in the mid-6th century CE, between 542 and 570 CE, during the reign of Byzantine Emperor (r. 527–565 CE). This period marked a height of Byzantine cultural and architectural patronage in the , with Justinian's empire emphasizing Christian orthodoxy and monumental church constructions across provinces like Arabia, where was located. The was installed in the floor of an early dedicated to in , present-day , situated in the ancient Moabite territory east of the . served as a prosperous Christian center in the province of Arabia during this era, benefiting from trade routes and imperial support that fostered artistic endeavors. The map formed part of a larger program within the , which included decorative floors in the , , and side chambers, highlighting the site's role as a hub for religious expression in a region blending Greco-Roman, local , and emerging Christian influences. Its purpose was primarily devotional and educational, serving as a visual aid for pilgrims and worshippers to contemplate the Holy Land's sacred geography and embody the of divine order and salvation history. Drawing from sources like Eusebius's Onomasticon (ca. 325 ) and the Greek , the map emphasized biblical sites, reinforcing theological narratives amid the empire's efforts to consolidate Christian identity in contested frontier areas. The artwork was crafted using tesserae—small cubes of stone and glass in various colors, with the original composition requiring over 1.5 million pieces to cover an estimated area of 15.6 by 6 meters. These materials, sourced locally and imported, allowed for intricate detailing that captured the landscape's vitality, reflecting advanced mosaic techniques prevalent in Byzantine workshops. By the , the and its mosaics suffered destruction, likely from a combination of devastating earthquakes—such as the major seismic events of 749 —and Umayyad-era invasions or iconoclastic policies, including possible defacement ordered by Caliph (r. 720–724 ), leading to the map's burial under rubble. This event contributed to the site's abandonment until its partial rediscovery in the late .

19th-Century Rediscovery

In 1884, during the construction of a new of St. George in , , local residents uncovered fragments of an ancient floor while clearing debris from the ruins of a Byzantine-era church on the same site. The , partially preserved beneath layers of earth and stone, was quickly recognized by the community as depicting geographical features of and the , though its full significance was not immediately grasped. This serendipitous find occurred amid efforts to rebuild the church for the resettled Greek Orthodox population, which had returned to in the 1880s after centuries of abandonment. The mosaic's exposure prompted swift scholarly interest. On December 13, 1896, Fr. Cleopas Koikylides, the librarian of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in and an amateur archaeologist, was dispatched to to examine the discovery on behalf of the Patriarchate. Koikylides produced the first detailed sketches of the map on during his visit, documenting its layout and inscriptions, which highlighted biblical sites and regional . His efforts marked the initial step toward preserving and publicizing the artifact, transforming a local curiosity into an object of international academic attention. However, the construction work posed significant challenges, leading to irreversible damage. Unaware of the mosaic's value, workers trampled over sections and removed portions to level the floor for the new church, resulting in the loss of several fragments, particularly in the northern and eastern areas. Only about 20% of the original map survived intact, with irreparable harm to depictions of key regions like parts of and the . Early documentation accelerated the map's fame across Europe. Koikylides published a monograph on the find in 1897, providing the first comprehensive description and reproductions based on his sketches. That same year, the discovery appeared in the Quarterly Statement of the Palestine Exploration Fund, where scholar Charles Clermont-Ganneau offered an analysis of its cartographic and historical implications, further disseminating details to Western audiences. These publications established the Madaba Map as a pivotal artifact in the study of ancient geography.

Restorations and Recent Developments

Following its rediscovery in 1884, the Madaba Map underwent initial preservation efforts in the early , during which scattered fragments were lifted from the church floor and partially reassembled, preserving about 20% of the original estimated to have spanned around 94 square meters. Major conservation work occurred in the 1960s, led by German archaeologists Heinz Cüppers and Herbert Donner on behalf of the German Association for the Exploration of (Deutsche Vereinigung zur Erforschung Palästinas). Their efforts focused on reassembling additional surviving tesserae, stabilizing the structure, and installing a protective metal framing elevated above the floor to prevent direct contact with visitors' feet and reduce exposure to dust and . This halted further fragmentation and enabled safer public access while facilitating detailed scholarly . The map's enduring utility was demonstrated in 2025 when its depiction of settlements guided a joint Jordanian-international team to the site of the long-lost Byzantine city of Tharais (also known as Tharasa) in southern near the Dead Sea. By correlating the mosaic's labeled toponyms and topographical features with and ground surveys, excavators uncovered a 6th-century , agricultural terraces, and residential structures, confirming the site's identity and highlighting the map's accuracy as a historical reference for locating obscured ancient locales. Despite these advances, the Madaba Map confronts persistent preservation threats. As a major drawing over 500,000 visitors annually, constant foot traffic risks accelerating tesserae displacement and abrasion, necessitating strict visitor management protocols. Environmental factors, including fluctuating humidity levels from the nearby basin that cause and cracking in the mortar bedding, further degrade the . The region's location along the seismically active fault line exposes the church to potential earthquake damage, prompting ongoing monitoring and reinforcement recommendations from and Jordan's Department of Antiquities to mitigate these risks.

Physical Description

Overall Layout and Coverage

The Madaba Map, created in the , originally measured an estimated 94 square meters (1,000 square feet) and survives today in fragments totaling approximately 19 square meters (20% of original), preserving a substantial portion of its cartographic detail. These remnants depict over 150 labeled sites across a vast region, offering one of the earliest known representations of the and surrounding areas. The map's rectangular format was embedded in the floor of the Church of Saint George in , . Geographically, the map encompasses an extensive area from —including the coastal city of in the north—to the in to the south, and from the on the western edge to the arid eastern deserts. This coverage highlights key territories of the in the and , with a non-uniform scale enabling a balanced portrayal of both urban centers and expansive terrains without precise proportionality. Jerusalem occupies the central position, underscoring its pivotal role, while the overall orientation places north at the top, aligning with conventional cartographic conventions of the era. Inscriptions on the map are in , serving as the primary language for labeling places and adding explanatory notes. These textual annotations and visual elements create a navigable guide, blending practical with cultural .

Topographical Features

The Madaba Map represents through stylized conventions that distinguish elevated and level landscapes. Hills and mountains are depicted with irregular, wavy ground lines and oblong shapes, as seen in the portrayal of situated on a hill, using red-brown tesserae to evoke rocky elevations like those in the Judean region. Plains, such as those in the , appear as flat, open expanses, providing a clear visual contrast to the undulating higher grounds around cities like Charach Moba. These elements employ a bird's-eye to convey relative without precise scaling. Water bodies form a central axis in the map's composition, with the rendered as a prominent, sinuous blue ribbon meandering southward from the to the Dead Sea, complete with fish and boats to emphasize its navigability. The borders the western edge with repeating wave patterns in blue tesserae, while the in the region is similarly stylized with undulating lines, aquatic plants, and vessels, highlighting its role as a vital . The Dead Sea is oversized for emphasis, shown with salinated waters repelling fish and including bitumen workers along its shores. Vegetation and agricultural features are indicated by scattered icons of stylized , denoting fertile zones amid the arid backdrop. Palm groves and date palms cluster near the Dead Sea and , symbolizing economic prosperity through their economic crops, alongside pomegranate and cypress trees in border scenes. Fields and vineyards appear as schematic patterns in green and brown tesserae, particularly around rural sites, illustrating cultivated plains like those east of the . The map differentiates urban from rural areas topographically, portraying cities as enclosed, detailed vignettes with walls and buildings on varied terrains, while rural zones feature open plains with isolated icons for villages and forts, often amid vegetation or along rivers. This contrast underscores the landscape's dual nature of settled hubs and expansive countrysides. The depiction's accuracy reflects contemporary knowledge, aligning the sequence of sites with itineraries like the Peutinger Table, though with artistic stylization and local emphases for regions near .

Iconography and Symbolic Elements

The Madaba Map prominently features as the central and most detailed city, depicted with fortified walls enclosing streets, nineteen towers, and six principal gates, including the on the eastern wall leading toward the . Key landmarks within the city include the , illustrated as a with a red roof and atrium, alongside other churches and public buildings, emphasizing its role as a hub in the sixth century. This vignette, shifted southward for compositional balance, portrays as a thriving Byzantine metropolis focused on sites of the Passion, omitting earlier Jewish structures like the . Processional and human figures animate the map's landscapes, adding narrative depth to the terrain. Along the , bridges connect the banks, while fish swim upstream and downstream, accompanied by a near-obliterated scene of that evokes rural pursuits. On the Dead Sea, two large fishing boats suggest active maritime life, contrasting the river's flowing vitality with the sea's stillness. These elements, rendered in a , guide the viewer's eye through dynamic vignettes of daily and symbolic activities in the . Religious symbols permeate the map, underscoring its Christian orientation. Churches are marked with crosses atop red-tiled roofs, distinguishing sacred buildings from secular ones, while holy sites like and receive explicit Greek labels alongside basilicas such as the . Fish motifs appear recurrently, symbolizing Christian themes of and , as seen in the where paired fish—one heading toward the Dead Sea and the other away—evoke iconography tied to early . Tombs of saints, such as that of Saint Zacharias, and biblical event markers further integrate scriptural narratives into the visual scheme. The map's stylistic influences draw from Byzantine mosaic traditions, employing a naive that prioritizes symbolic clarity over realistic depth, with buildings shown in against a flattened . Vibrant colors enhance this approach, using four shades of red for roofs and structures, six shades of for water bodies like the and , and greens for vegetation, creating a vivid, illustrative quality typical of sixth-century Palestinian floor mosaics. Non-geographical elements infuse the map with theological resonance, such as the fishes depicted entering the , a feature absent in secular but present here to allude to biblical and the sea's paradoxical lifelessness in scripture. These motifs, including symbolic signs like the twelve stones at , prioritize spiritual interpretation over literal geography, aligning the artwork with early Christian typological imagery.

Significance and Interpretations

Cartographic and Historical Value

The Madaba Map, dating to the mid-sixth century , represents the oldest surviving original cartographic depiction of the , encompassing regions from in the north to the [Nile Delta](/page/Nile Delta) in the south. This mosaic predates medieval portolan charts by several centuries and stands as a pivotal artifact in the history of Byzantine , offering a detailed visual record of the during the early Christian era. Unlike earlier Roman itineraries, such as the fourth- or fifth-century , which emphasized linear road networks for administrative and military purposes, the Madaba Map integrates Christian theological emphases, highlighting sacred landscapes and routes while maintaining a regional overview. Additionally, the map features labeled itineraries in Greek script, guiding viewers along key paths such as those from to , tailored to facilitate pilgrim navigation and spiritual reflection. These elements, as analyzed by scholar Michael Avi-Yonah, demonstrate a synthesis of classical geographic traditions with emerging Byzantine representational techniques, marking a shift toward illustrative that prioritizes cultural and religious over purely utilitarian design. The map's historical accuracy is evident in its confirmation of over 150 sites, including numerous Byzantine towns and urban centers that have since been lost or archaeologically verified, thereby aiding scholars in dating patterns of settlement and development in the region during the sixth century. For instance, its precise portrayal of Jerusalem's urban layout, with identifiable gates and streets, aligns with later excavations of Byzantine structures, providing a benchmark for reconstructing historical topography. This fidelity to contemporary geography underscores the map's value as a primary source for understanding late antique urbanism and connectivity in the Holy Land. Despite these strengths, the Madaba Map exhibits limitations inherent to its era and purpose, as it is not uniformly to scale, with sacred sites like disproportionately enlarged to emphasize their theological prominence over metrical precision. Distances appear distorted, particularly in peripheral areas, reflecting a selective focus on biblically significant locations rather than comprehensive geographic exactitude, which aligns with its role as a devotional and mnemonic tool rather than a modern survey instrument.

Archaeological and Geographical Insights

The Madaba Map has significantly contributed to modern by providing precise ancient coordinates for key sites, facilitating targeted excavations in the . For instance, its depiction of , marked with palm trees symbolizing its oasis setting, and , noted near the , has guided archaeologists in verifying and exploring these locations, confirming their historical continuity from biblical times into the Byzantine era. Similarly, the map's labeling of sites like Zoar south of the Dead Sea has informed surveys and digs in the southeastern , linking ancient narratives to physical remains. A notable recent application occurred in 2025, when the map's inscription of "Tharais" guided surveys led by Dr. Musallam R. Al-Rawahneh from Mu’tah University to a site near El-ʿIrāq village in the of southern , uncovering ruins of a Byzantine town dating to the fifth-seventh centuries based on inscriptions. The site features a basilica-type with floors, an press, a press, and a , aligning with the map's portrayal of Tharais as a prominent . This highlights the map's role in rediscovering lost Byzantine infrastructure after centuries of obscurity. The map's representations have also refined understandings of ancient geography, particularly in paleogeographical studies. Its illustration of the with seven branches reflects the sixth-century configuration, aiding reconstructions of sediment shifts and riverine changes that affected early Christian settlements in and . Likewise, the depiction of the Dead Sea's extent and surrounding topography has clarified fluctuations in water levels during , influencing analyses of environmental impacts on regional ecosystems and human habitation. Integration with contemporary technologies has further amplified these insights, as scholars employ Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to overlay the map's features onto , revealing traces of ancient road networks obscured by modern development. Projects in the Plains, for example, have used such methods to trace Roman-Byzantine routes connecting to the , correlating mosaic labels with data for non-invasive prospecting. However, the map's incomplete survival imposes limitations on comprehensive regional reconstruction. The absence of its northern section, which likely extended toward , and eastern portions beyond the Dead Sea, hinders full mapping of peripheral trade paths and settlements, requiring supplementation from textual sources like Eusebius's Onomasticon.

Religious and Cultural Role

The Map served a prominent devotional purpose within the of in Madaba, functioning as a visual aid for and planning. Positioned on the church floor near the , it allowed worshippers to engage with the sacred geography of the during services, facilitating a form of "virtual pilgrimage" that reinforced spiritual devotion without physical travel. Scholars suggest this placement connected the map to liturgical practices, where it illustrated biblical narratives and holy sites to enhance communal prayer and reflection. The map's biblical fidelity is evident in its emphasis on sites from both the Old and New Testaments, drawing directly from the and of Caesarea's Onomasticon (c. 320 CE) to depict key locations such as , , and the . Over 150 Greek inscriptions label these places, prioritizing events central to Christian salvation history, such as and Christ's Passion, thereby reinforcing the theological narrative of the as the fulfillment of divine promise. This selective portrayal underscores the map's role in affirming Christian identity amid the diverse religious landscape of sixth-century . Created around 565 CE during the reign of Emperor (r. 527–565 CE), the map reflects Byzantine imperial patronage of sacred geography following the reconquest of parts of the , including efforts to reassert Christian dominance in the region. As part of a broader wave of church constructions and artworks in prosperous areas like —known as the "City of Mosaics"—it symbolizes the empire's investment in visualizing and venerating the as a cornerstone of Orthodox Christianity. This cultural context highlights how such artworks served to propagate imperial and ecclesiastical authority through artistic representation of biblical landscapes. Symbolically, the map embodies theological concepts by centering as the "navel of the world" (), a motif rooted in 5:5 and early Christian , with the city depicted in intricate detail amid surrounding regions to signify its cosmic and redemptive centrality. This orientation not only elevates 's role in salvation history but also integrates symbolic elements like crosses to evoke the triumph of . In modern times, the Madaba Map influences in , drawing pilgrims and visitors to as a hub for exploring shared holy sites, while contributing to interfaith dialogues by highlighting common Abrahamic heritage in the region.

Reproductions and Legacy

Early Copies and Facsimiles

The earliest reproductions of the Madaba Map were hand-drawn copies created shortly after its in 1896, serving as vital tools for scholarly analysis when travel to the remote site was difficult. In December 1896, Fr. Kleopas Koikylides, librarian of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in , examined the mosaic during the construction of St. George's Church and produced a preliminary line drawing of the visible portions. This sketch, focusing on key features like and the , was published in 1897 alongside Koikylides' Greek-language commentary, marking the first visual dissemination of the map to academics beyond . More precise facsimiles emerged in the early through collaborative efforts by European scholars. In 1901, Jerusalem-based architect Paul Palmer created a detailed watercolor reproduction of the surviving fragments, meticulously rendering the mosaic's colors, inscriptions, and using on-site observations over several months. This hand-painted version was refined and issued as a full-color lithograph in the 1906 scholarly volume Die Mosaikkarte von , co-authored with archaeologist Hermann Guthe, which included measured diagrams and textual analysis. These lithographs appeared in academic journals, enabling comparisons with biblical texts and classical geographies among researchers in , , and . Photographic documentation supplemented these drawings starting in the early , providing objective records despite technological constraints. One of the earliest known photographs of the was taken around 1905 inside St. George's Church, capturing the map's layout amid the floor's irregular covering. These images were reproduced in archaeological bulletins and expedition reports, such as those from the German Exploration Society, and shared via lantern slides at European conferences. However, early photos were limited by long exposure times, poor lighting in the church, and incomplete exposure of fragmented areas, often resulting in low contrast and missing finer details like small labels. Despite their pioneering role, these pre-20th-century copies and facsimiles had inherent shortcomings that affected their reliability. Hand-drawn versions, including anonymous manuscript renderings from the late to , frequently omitted or misinterpreted damaged sections, such as parts of the or eastern desert, due to partial visibility under protective rugs. Color reproduction in watercolors and lithographs also varied, with inconsistencies in hues for landscapes and buildings arising from subjective artistic choices and the mosaic's weathered state. Such limitations were noted in contemporary critiques, yet these materials proved essential for initial topographic studies. These early reproductions were primarily distributed through academic networks in , printed in limited runs for universities, theological seminaries, and societies like the . Copies reached scholars such as those at the École Biblique in , supporting foundational research on Byzantine before geopolitical tensions restricted site visits in the 1920s. Their circulation fostered debates on the map's historical accuracy, laying groundwork for later interpretations without direct reliance on the original.

Modern Reproductions and Digital Access

In 1965, during a major conservation effort led by archaeologists Heinz Cüppers and Herbert Donner from the German Society for the Exploration of , the was restored and conserved. Digital reproductions of the Madaba Map have advanced significantly since the , with high-resolution scans enabling detailed analysis and global dissemination. Early efforts included photographic documentation during post-restoration documentation, while more recent projects incorporate gigapixel imaging for zoomable online viewing. In early 2025, during an extensive of the that removed overlying flooring and furniture, the site was documented for preservation. Virtual reality applications emerged in the 2010s, with 3D reconstructions transforming the Madaba Map into immersive experiences that simulate a virtual through the depicted landscapes. Projects like the CyArk and collaboration provide interactive tours, enabling users to navigate the map's topography, zoom into cities like , and explore reconstructed Byzantine-era sites based on the mosaic's representations. Accessibility initiatives gained momentum following UNESCO's designation of as a Creative City in the Crafts and category in , which encouraged the development of global digital archives and non-invasive study tools. This recognition supported collaborative efforts to digitize the map, preserving its while promoting open-access resources for researchers, educators, and the public worldwide.

References

  1. [1]
    Madaba: The World's Oldest Holy Land Map
    Feb 18, 2022 · The Madaba Map, the oldest Holy Land map, is a mosaic floor from the 6th century CE, depicting the Holy Land, cities, and landscapes. It is ...Missing: significance | Show results with:significance
  2. [2]
    The Madaba mosaic is the oldest map of the Holy Land
    Mar 26, 2021 · Discovered in a remote Ottoman town in 1884, the Madaba Map is both a masterpiece of Byzantine design and a working map of Jerusalem and the sixth-century ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  3. [3]
    [PDF] The Madaba Mosaic Date: ca. 565 A.D. Author: unknown
    The Madaba Mosaic, dated ca. 565 AD, is a map of the sacred landscape with spiritual significance, possibly used as a pilgrimage guide. It was discovered in a ...
  4. [4]
    Madaba Map, 527-565 CE | Center for Online Judaic Studies
    The map covers about 33 square yards of the church's floor (it was probably originally three times as large) and is composed of more than two million stone and ...
  5. [5]
    The Holy Land Translated into a Mosaic of the Church
    Apr 18, 2020 · A legendary, ancient mosaic forming a map on the floor of Saint George's Church in Madaba, in Jordan.
  6. [6]
    Madaba - See The Holy Land
    The map's extraordinary value was not recognized until the librarian of the Greek Orthodox patriarchate in Jerusalem, Fr Kleopas Koikylides, visited in 1896. A ...Missing: Cleopas Exploration Fund
  7. [7]
    Madaba Map. Art Destination Jordan
    On 13 December 1896, Cleopas Koikylides, a young scholar fond of archaeology, entered the church to examine the mosaic on behalf of the Patriarchate. After he ...Missing: Fund | Show results with:Fund
  8. [8]
    Drawing the Madaba Map - Macro-Typography
    Sep 18, 2018 · The first drawing, on graph paper, was that by Cleopas Koikylides, a scholar but not an archaeologist, of 1896 December 13. This was published ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  9. [9]
    (PDF) "Another Reconsideration of the Madaba Map", Byzantine and ...
    It has recently been claimed that the Madaba map illustrates notions of law and ownership, and that it was displayed in a hall with secular functions.
  10. [10]
    Madaba Map & St. George's Church - Holy Land Site
    The most elaborate and famous of these mosaic maps is located where the Church of St. George is today and is called the Madaba Map.Missing: resolution | Show results with:resolution
  11. [11]
    The 'Madaba Mosaic Map': The oldest known Geographic Floor ...
    Feb 17, 2022 · The early Byzantine church of Saint George in Madaba, Jordan, contains a floor mosaic that is known as the Madaba Map or Madaba Mosaic Map.Missing: Cleopas Koikylides
  12. [12]
  13. [13]
    A 1,500-Year-Old Map Helped Researchers Find a Lost Byzantine City
    Jun 6, 2025 · The map is located in Madaba, Jordan, and depicts a total of 157 sites—many of which have yet to be found. One of the many lost cities is a ...Missing: 1918- 1920s
  14. [14]
    Archaeologists Find One of the Long-Lost Holy Cities in Jordan
    Jul 13, 2025 · Central to this discovery was the Madaba Mosaic Map, a sixth-century Byzantine floor mosaic located in the Church of Saint George in Madaba, ...Missing: 1918- 1920s French
  15. [15]
    Madaba • Saint George Church - Millennial Christian Cradle
    Environmental Damage: The church faces threats from humidity fluctuations, pollution, and natural aging, which impact both the structure and the mosaic floor.
  16. [16]
    New perspectives on interdisciplinary earth science at the Dead Sea
    Feb 15, 2016 · This desertification-threatened region is affected by continual Dead Sea lake level declines, by occasional but life-endangering flash floods, ...
  17. [17]
    Madaba Map - Madain Project (en)
    The Madaba Map depicts parts of the Middle East. Dating back to the sixth ... Originally, it measured 21 by 7 meters and contained over two million tesserae.
  18. [18]
    [PDF] topographic mosaics from late antique Jordan as representations of ...
    Aug 2, 2016 · Putting Christians on the map : topographic mosaics from late antique Jordan as representations of authority and status. Tracey Elizabeth ...
  19. [19]
    [PDF] THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TOPOGRAPHICAL MOSAICS ...
    17 Katz acknowledged that variations of the walled-city motif are found in both the Madaba Map and another mosaic of the same general provenance and period. It ...
  20. [20]
    Understanding the Madaba Map - The BAS Library
    The Madaba map, found in a 6th-century church, shows the Holy Land, including biblical places, with Jerusalem enlarged, and the Jordan River flowing ...Missing: hills vegetation<|separator|>
  21. [21]
    The Madaba Map: A Further Reexamination - Medievalists.net
    May 5, 2023 · The Madaba map is a 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, found in a Byzantine church, depicting the region between the Jordan and Nile, and ...Missing: significance | Show results with:significance
  22. [22]
    An ancient Jordanian map reveals Jesus' baptism site - Aleteia
    Oct 29, 2022 · An ancient Jordanian map marks Jesus' baptism site with a distinctive Christian symbol: the fish. If Umm Qais marks the starting point of the Jordan Trail,Missing: processional scenes fishermen boats hunters
  23. [23]
  24. [24]
    The Dead Sea on the Madaba Map | Ferrell's Travel Blog
    Jun 26, 2023 · I understand the designer of the map to be saying that the fish of the Jordan River could not survive in the Salt Sea.Missing: processional fishermen boats hunters symbolism
  25. [25]
    The History of Cartography of the Holy Land
    The earliest known map to depict the Holy Land is the Tabula Peutingeriana (Peutinger Table). The second earliest cartographic work is the famous sixth-century ...Missing: oldest extant innovations comparison scholarly
  26. [26]
    The Madaba Mosaic Map. By Michael Avi-Yonah.
    partially made good by a series of small sketch maps of the country emphasizing various special features such as relief, political divisions and routes. There ...
  27. [27]
    The Madaba map (mosaic floor) 542 AD St. George's ... - Bible.ca
    The Madaba map, is was clearly based upon the "Onomasticon" written by Eusebius in 325 AD, even though it differs at times from it. In 1894 AD, the Madaba map ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  28. [28]
    Madaba Map - Art and Architecture of the Middle Ages
    The map has been dated to the mid-sixth century, based on its representation of certain churches (e.g., the Nea built by Justinian in Jerusalem, consecrated 543) ...Missing: restoration 1920
  29. [29]
    [PDF] Madaba Map - Gateway Center for Israel
    For example, the map marks Jericho with palm trees, 12 stones at Gilgal, Jacob's well in Shechem, tribal allotments, the Oak of Mamre at Hebron, John's ...
  30. [30]
    The Discovery of the Sin Cities of Sodom & Gomorrah
    The most important source for locating the site is the Madaba map, a mosaic map on the floor of a church in Madaba, Jordan, depicting Palestine in the sixth ...
  31. [31]
    Lost Byzantine town of Tharais rediscovered in southern Jordan
    Jul 20, 2025 · After decades of research and field surveys, archaeologists have finally discovered the ancient Byzantine town of Tharais in southern Jordan.
  32. [32]
    Madaba Map | Oxford Classical Dictionary
    The map's highly creative cartographic artistry bears comparison with the representations of cities on mosaics of broadly contemporary date at Gerasa ...Missing: scale | Show results with:scale
  33. [33]
    Ancient roads in the Madaba Plains of Transjordan: Research from a ...
    The milestones, curbstones, and stone roadbeds that appear as discontinuous fragments in the Transjordanian landscape are identified as the remains of ...
  34. [34]
  35. [35]
    A Virtual Visit to the “City of Mosaics” - Biblical Archaeology Society
    Jul 12, 2021 · These incredible 3D models, along with guided virtual tours and stories from local community members, have now been made available online for anyone to view, ...Missing: reconstruction | Show results with:reconstruction
  36. [36]
    Madaba, Jordanian city full of holy sites, beckons visitors
    Jun 12, 2022 · The ministry seeks to turn Madaba into a center for cultural and religious heritage and home to mosaics and handicrafts.Missing: influence interfaith
  37. [37]
    The Madaba Map * מפת מידבא
    The Madaba Mosaic Map depicts Jerusalem with the New Church of the Theotokos, which was dedicated on November 20, 542. Buildings erected in Jerusalem after 570 ...Missing: percentage | Show results with:percentage
  38. [38]
    Early manuscript rendering of the Madaba Map of the Holy Land
    ### Summary of the Madaba Map Manuscript Rendering
  39. [39]
    the Madaba Mosaic Map. Digitalization, analysis, deconstruction
    The subject of the analysis is a mosaic map from the Justinian era, found in 1884 in the primitive church of San Giorgio in Madaba, in present-day Jordan.Cite This Paper · Abstract · References (49)
  40. [40]
    Untitled
    ... maps. A fine illustration is the mosaic map discovered on the floor of a church at Madaba in Jordan. The highlight of every pilgrimage was the visit to ...
  41. [41]
    One Place, Many Stories - Google Arts & Culture
    Discover the famed Madaba Map in a 3D Immersive Guided Tour. Available in English and Arabic. Tap to explore. Learn about the mosaics of the Hippolytus Hall ...Missing: reconstruction | Show results with:reconstruction