Introduction

Starting in the 17th century, visualizations became more popular and used for statistical data in the forms of bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts, plot graphs, just to name a few. Before this time, maps are historically known as the very first visualization. Maps displayed landmarks, roads, cities, and more. It evolved from being designed as cave paintings to stone tablets to religious maps to printed maps to multi-layered digitized maps. In this report, I explore the changes of these maps over the years from the designs to their purpose, and how it plays a role in our everyday lives. Some questions that I have that I’ll briefly address later in this report is how long did it take for each map to be created? How long did it take to become a global tool? How effective is a timeline visualization to demonstrate the history of maps?  

Methods

To demonstrate the evolution of the visualization of maps, I did a Google search of the history of visualizations I discovered maps were the very first visualization starting in 6100BC. I came across a website called Unearth Labs that gave a timeline of the first map that is from the cave wall of Anatolian City and dated between 6100 – 6300BC to the map we are familiar with the Geographic Information Systems. I sorted through the dates of each of the maps found and put them in chronological order. 

I used the TimelineJS tool to visualize the evolution of maps. The tool, for the most part, is simple to use but because I was new to it I had to figure out how to add the BC times and the pictures. The pictures didn’t have their own link online. I ended up screenshotting them and uploading them to my google drive in order for it to show in the TimelineJS tool. 

Results and Interpretation

Here is a look at the visualization: 

Based on the visualization above, it makes it easy for viewers to see the time frame and images of the different types of maps. I believe Timeline visualizations support the imagination of what one is thinking about of what the oldest map looks like. For example, the cave wall map is speculated that was used to show the building and volcanos surrounding the area. Then, the Babylon Stone tablet map shows how someone carved the map into the stone to depict the ancient city of Babylon. Then, it transformed into a World Map of Anaximander’s perception of the way the Earth is shaped. Some of these maps have in common the color schemes such as using blue and earthly-toned colors. The timeline visualization shows how each map visualization takes from the other.

These maps all had the same purpose of giving directions of where specific places are located. Working on this timeline visualization helped me discover this compared to reading it in a blog format. Also, how far apart each map was developed. It leaves me in an inquiry of how long it took to design a map visualization and how long did it take for it to reach another part of the world. With the new tools, we have today, I can’t imagine it to be done quickly like how I was able to create the Timeline visualization using TimelineJS.

Reflection

In conclusion, it was interesting to see the history of map visualizations using a visualization tool to make them easier to analyze. What I would do differently is spend a little more time in research to see if there are more images or information on the maps. And, see if there are other tools that can be used to complement this timeline visualization.