For thousands of years, people made both functional maps and what are known as cosmographies, illustrating the earth and its position in the cosmos, often including constellations, gods, and mythic locations. These maps were meant to depict the world's geography, but weren't necessarily useful for navigation and contained some glaring mistakes. Kayla Wolf shares mapmaking's biggest blunders. [Directed by Serin İnan, Kozmonot Animation Studio, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Cem Misirlioglu, David Coltun].

Kayla Wolf: The biggest mistakes in mapmaking history

The biggest mistakes in mapmaking history

Medieval maps, blending geography and mythology, were not only guides but hypotheses, showcasing human curiosity and imagination.

The 'Island of California' persisted in maps for over 100 years, illustrating how explorers' misconceptions shaped our view of the world.

Mercator's 1595 North Pole map, featuring a magnetic rock and whirlpool, highlights the blend of myth in early scientific exploration.