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First International Workshop

On the Origin and Evolution of Portolan Charts.
First International Workshop


Lisbon, Portugal
Organisation: Interuniversity Centre for the History of Science and Technology, University of Lisbon (CIUHCT) and the National Library of Portugal (BNP)
The objectives of the workshop are:
  • To assess the current state of knowledge and the range of opinion about the following aspects of research into the medieval portolan chart:
    • When, where, how and why were the earliest portolan charts constructed?
    • How did the portolan charts evolve over time?
    • Were the portolan charts used in marine navigation and, if so, how; if not, what was their likely function?
  • To clarify the role of cartometric analytical techniques in the study of portolan charts.
  • To bring any other method to bear on these problems, such as the analysis of inks and parchments, special lighting to detect marks of use and to decipher illegible elements, and any other relevant approaches.
Venue: Navy Museum (Museu de Marinha), Praça do Império,Lisbon
Entry fee: The event will be free of charges.
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