Learn how to analyse a historical map step by step.

2. How to ...
HT
1
ANALYSE A HISTORICAL MAP
History How To 1

3. What is a map?
 Graphic representation
 Simplified
 Conventional
 Part of the world
 Totality of the world
(planisphere)
HT
1
What is it for?
 Visualise
 Event
 Phenomenon
 Actors
 Movements
 Evolution
 ...
History How To 1

4. HT
1
Historical Map
Analysis
1. Map
identification
2. Observe the
scale and the key
3. Analysis of the
content
4. Synthesize (draw
conclusions)
© National Geographic. The world’ greatest empires. A history of power.
Special publication. Washington D.C. U.S.A. 2013.
History How To 1

5. HT
1
Historical Map
Analysis
1. Map identification
A. Check the date
• figured elements
• map production (or
release)
B. Determine the area
• region?
• country?
• continent?
C. Represented aspects
• political aspects
• social aspects
• cultural aspects
• artistic aspects
• etc.
!!!
© National Geographic. The world’ greatest empires. A history of power.
Special publication. Washington D.C. U.S.A. 2013.
1230 to 1533
2013
West coast of
South
America and
Andes
Expansion of
the Inca
empire
Summary
The map shows the expansion of
the Inca empire on the west coast
of South America and the Andes
between 1230 and 1533.
History How To 1

6. HT
1
Historical Map
Analysis
✔ Map
identification
2. Observe the
scale and the key
A. Check the scale
B. Check the key
• codes
• symbols
47
© National Geographic. The world’ greatest empires. A history of power.
Special publication. Washington D.C. U.S.A. 2013.
No scale,
because the
map is in
perspective
4 areas figured with
shades of brown
1 area figured with
a blue border
 territories
Lines
 Roads
Arrow
 Route,
movement
Summary
Symbol  Small scale Battle
4 areas coloured in shades of
brown
1 transparent area with a blue
border
2 lines
1 arrow
1 symbol
History How To 1

7. HT
1
Historical Map
Analysis
✔ Map
identification
2. Observe the
scale and the key
A. Check the scale
B. Check the key
• codes
• symbols
History How To 1

8. HT
1
Historical Map
Analysis
✔ Map
identification
✔ Observe the
scale and the key
3. Analysis of the
content
A. How to read the map?
B. What is it about?
C. Main spatial sets?
47
© National Geographic. The world’ greatest empires. A history of power.
Special publication. Washington D.C. U.S.A. 2013.
• Expansion of Inca
empire (long
phenomenon)
• Route taken by
Pizzaro (punctual
event).
• Inca empire
Summary
The map shows the expansion of
the Incas on a huge territory at the
cost of its neighbours.
It also shows the route taken by
Pizzaro shortly before the empire
collapsed.
History How To 1

9. Historical Map
Analysis
✔ Map
identification
✔ Observe the
scale and the key
✔Analysis of the
content
4. Synthesize (draw
conclusions)
A. Information collected;
B. Write down questions you
may have.
HT
1
• The map shows the expansion of the Inca empire
on the west coast of South America and the
Andes between 1230 and 1533.
• The map shows the expansion of the Incas on a
huge territory at the cost of its neighbours
(battles).
• It also shows the route taken by Pizzaro shortly
before the empire collapsed.
• How come such a great empire has collapsed so
quickly?
• Was it because of Pizzaro?
History How To 1

10. How to...
HT
1
ANALYSE A HISTORICAL MAP
History How To 1

11. © Nathan R. Bento, 2014