World-Maps for Finding the Direction and Distance to Mecca: Innovation and Tradition in Islamic Science (Islamic Philosophy, Theology, & Science) - Hardcover
Synopsis
Two remarkable Iranian world-maps were discovered in 1989 and 1995. Both are made of brass and date from 17th-century Iran. Mecca is at the centre and a highly sophisticated longitude and latitude grid enables the user to determine the direction and distance to Mecca for anywhere in the world between Andalusia and China. Prior to the discovery of these maps it was thought that such cartographic grids were conceived in Europe ca. 1910. This richly-illustrated book presents an overview of the ways in which Muslims over the centuries have determined the sacred direction towards Mecca (qibla) and then describes the two world-maps in detail. The author shows that the geographical data derives from a 15th-century Central Asian source and that the mathematics underlying the grid was developed in 9th-century Baghdad.
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About the Author
David A. King, Ph.D. (1972) in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures, Yale University, is Professor of the History of Science at the J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt. He has published extensively on medieval Islamic astronomy and astronomical instruments.
Review
'Science historian David King wrote a monumental book about [a] cartographical miracle.' -- NRC Handelsblad
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World-Maps for Finding the Direction and Distance to Mecca. Innovation and Tradition in Islamic Science
Published by
Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation/ Brill, London/ Leyden, 1999
ISBN 10: 9004113673
ISBN 13: 9789004113671
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Rare Books Honolulu, Honolulu, HI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Very good. 1st edition. London/ Leyden etc., Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation/ Brill, 1999, XXVIII,(2),large 4to., 12 x 9", 638 pp. richly illustrated., diagrams, orig. cloth with dust wrapper. -- -- Two remarkable Iranian world-maps were discovered in 1989 and 1995. Both are made of brass and date from 17th-century Iran. Mecca is at the center and a highly sophisticated longitude and latitude grid enables the user to determine the direction and distance to Mecca for anywhere in the world between Andalusia and China. Prior to the discovery of these maps it was thought that such cartographic grids were conceived in Europe ca. 1910. This richly-illustrated book presents an overview of the ways in which Muslims over the centuries have determined the sacred direction towards Mecca (qibla) and then describes the two world-maps in detail. The author shows that the geographical data derives from a 15th-century Central Asian source and that the mathematics underlying the grid was developed in 9th-century Baghdad. (Brill) David A. King, Ph.D. (1972) in Near Eastern Languages and Literatures, Yale University, is Professor of the History of Science at the J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt. He has published extensively on medieval Islamic astronomy and astronomical instruments. Seller Inventory # 1999B
Seller Image
World-Maps for Finding the Direction and Distance to Mecca: Innovation and Tradition in Islamic Science
Published by
Brill, Leiden, 1999
ISBN 10: 9004113673
ISBN 13: 9789004113671
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Zed Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. First Edition. First printing. 4to. 638 pp. Blue cloth. Fine. Lacking dust jacket. Seller Inventory # x08416