Transcription problem - f68v3 and Rosettes foldout

[Mark Knowles]

Just to note that the T-O maps of the time were not uniform and sometimes had continents swapped. I believe we discussed that on the forum.

For another note, in the view of some hints that the author heavily relied upon mnemonics (a T-O diagram being essentially one of those), the inscriptions in the sectors would likely be NOT the continents names, but rather some relevant information about the continents (or related thereto). What the particular continent is would be clear from the T-O map itself.

It is possible, but without firmer evidence that the author opted for a very non-standard form of representation I think the default assumption has to be that they are the continents. Anything is possible, but it seems to me one has to start with what seems very much most probable.

[-JKP-]

Yes, they might be continents, but that does not necessarily mean they are labeled as such.

[Mark Knowles]

Just to note that the T-O maps of the time were not uniform and sometimes had continents swapped. I believe we discussed that on the forum.

For another note, in the view of some hints that the author heavily relied upon mnemonics (a T-O diagram being essentially one of those), the inscriptions in the sectors would likely be NOT the continents names, but rather some relevant information about the continents (or related thereto). What the particular continent is would be clear from the T-O map itself.

It does seem pretty rare for the continents to be swapped as you describe.

[Mark Knowles]

Yes, they might be continents, but that does not necessarily mean they are labeled as such.

You are right it doesn't. They could be labelled "Gooseberry", "Spade" and "Whistle". However in keeping with the overwhelming majority of T/O maps it is far more likely they say Africa, Europe and Asia. I am going on probabilities i.e. the overwhelming likelihood that we have the standard representation, unless there are good reasons to think otherwise. The only argument I can see is that the author could have put different things in each T/O to avoid duplication, but I still think this unlikely.

[Aga Tentakulus]

Has anyone already had the idea that he doesn't write Asia but Persia?
For the word Persus you need 3 symbols. But there are 4. The "o" is 90% separate from the word. ( der, die, das = the  )
Just an idea.

[-JKP-]

Mark, for a couple of centuries intelligent people have been looking at the VMS, trying to figure it out and probably 90% of them recognize a T-O yet I haven't seen a credible translation of the "labels" in those three slots.

[Anton]

There's no problem in pursuing the "face value" approach (i.e. the labels are the continent names), I just wanted to hint the possible pitfalls.

Re swapping: yes, not frequent, but I've seen Europe and Africa swapped. Can't find the thread right now.

[Mark Knowles]

Has anyone already had the idea that he doesn't write Asia but Persia?
For the word Persus you need 3 symbols. But there are 4. The "o" is 90% separate from the word. ( der, die, das = the  )
Just an idea.

I think occasionally you can see "Libia" instead of Africa.

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There's no problem in pursuing the "face value" approach (i.e. the labels are the continent names), I just wanted to hint the possible pitfalls.

Re swapping: yes, not frequent, but I've seen Europe and Africa swapped. Can't find the thread right now.

Anton, I agree it is worth pointing these things out, so thanks for that. I guess my approach is to work on what I think is by far and away the most likely scenario.

[Anton]

There's no problem in pursuing the "face value" approach (i.e. the labels are the continent names), I just wanted to hint the possible pitfalls.

Re swapping: yes, not frequent, but I've seen Europe and Africa swapped. Can't find the thread right now.

Ah, dug that out. See You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. and subsequent comments.

[Aga Tentakulus]

Possibly he does not set geography or size, but by priority.