In 1513, the Turkish admiral Haji Muhiddin Piri ibn Haji Mehmed presented his own map of the world - the most detailed at that time. The map made a splash in Constantinople, although this city has always been famous for an abundance of intelligent and attentive travelers, each of whom tried to compose his own work. The Piri Reis creation showed parts of Europe and North Africa. Brazil, South America, Azores and Canary Islands were depicted here. Moreover, the cartographer also managed to capture some elements of the southern continent - which means that he had an idea of the existence of Antarctica.
Genius compiler
Piri Reis was not only smart, but honest. He did not declare that the map is only the fruit of his labors. On the contrary, in his work, the master used whole piles of someone else's material. But Haji Mukhiddin did all this very competently. For example, some parts of the work were taken from maps created in the era of Alexander the Great. This is, for a second, the 4th century BC. Among other things, the attentive author had access to the Library of Alexandria - and after all, scientists still do not know for certain what its walls were hiding.
First riddle
American cartographer, professor of oceanology Hapgood published a work according to which Piri Reis used maps still unknown to mankind. The authors of these maps had to know exactly the size of the Earth and, moreover, had to use such technical equipment, which appeared only several centuries after the death of Piri Reis himself.
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Second riddle
For a long time, the Piri Reis map was considered a skillful forgery - however, careful checks have proven its authenticity. Scientists could not believe not only the exceptional accuracy of the author, but also his awareness. For example, Haji Muhiddin could not have known about the existence of the Andes, located in the depths of the South American continent. These mountains were discovered only half a century after the publication of the map. Piri Reis also knew about the Falkland Islands, which were generally discovered only at the end of the 16th century.
Third riddle
The greatest mistrust among the researchers was the Antarctica depicted on the map, officially discovered in 1820. Moreover, Piri Reis showed that part of the coast (and it fully corresponds to reality), which is under the ice. Its form became known only in 1950 - that is, several centuries after the death of the perspicacious author.
Your request for an estimate of some of the unusual details on the 1513 Piri Reis map has been reviewed. The statement that the bottom of the map depicts the coast of Princess Martha, Queen Maud Land, Antarctica, and the Palmer Peninsula is reasonable. We believe that this conclusion is the most logical and, in all likelihood, the correct interpretation of the map. We have no idea how the data on this map might correlate with the estimated level of geographic knowledge in 1513. - Harold Z. Olmeer, Commander, United States Air Force
There are tigers here
Piri Reis portrayed Antarctica as habitable. On the map are forests, images of huge snakes - and tigers, which, in fact, simply could not live in that part of the world. Of course, all this is quite suitable for the image of a medieval cartographer who takes the missing information straight from his head. But everything else is depicted too reliably to believe in the excessive inclination towards the author's fantasy.
Disappeared sailors
However, scientists have already offered a clue to the incredible awareness of Piri Reis. The same Hapgood (who in no way can be counted among the pseudoscientists) declares that the only acceptable explanation is the existence of some prehistoric people who are pretty adept at seafaring. These guys had to explore the entire planet as a whole - and then, as if disappearing into thin air, leaving behind only great maps.