This so-called ‘curiosity’ map is entitled ‘A Map of the Terres trial Paradise’, i.e. the Garden of Eden, which was a common perception of the area from the Middle Ages (see Section 6 of ‘A brief history, above).
This version was prepared by Emmanuel Bowen (fl. 1714–67) and shows Eden located between the lakes of Van and Urmia, within the territory of historic Armenia, with Mount Ararat situated in the middle.
The Rivers Euphrates, Arax, and Tigris have their sources in this area. The map was pub lished c. 1780. The same map also appears in Bowen’s various atlases, dating from 1744 to the 1780s. Size 23 ×23cm Private collection – London.
