The theorizing of a southern continent for more than two millennia before the discovery of Antarctica and its long representation in maps are phenomena unparalleled in the history of geography and are well known. However, the epistemological implications of the mapping of this non-existent place have received little consideration. After preliminary remarks about present-day remote imaging of Antarctica and limits to the completeness of all mapping and knowledge, the article discusses the representation of the southern Terra Incognita in examples of mediaeval and Renaissance maps. It is argued that filling in blank spaces both reflected a yearning for complete knowledge and provided an opportunity for non-geographical discourse that is missing in maps today.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	History, Heritage and Archaeology
Research Group:	Historical studies
Research Field:	Historical studies not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Culture and Society
Objective Group:	Understanding past societies
Objective Field:	Understanding Australia's past
UTAS Author:	Murray, C (Dr Ian Murray)
ID Code:	38788
Year Published:	2005
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	IASOS
Deposited On:	2005-08-01
Last Modified:	2006-05-09
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