Mapping the Cradle of Civilization – My Journey Creating the Mesopotamia Map
- Randolph Coope
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
I’ve always been fascinated by ancient civilizations, one of these is Mesopotamia, the legendary cradle of civilization. After reading and researching the myths and histories of Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia, and Assyria, I decided to bring their world to life through a hand-drawn illustrated map.
The start
This project started as a pencil sketch and evolved into a detailed digital map, combining traditional drawing with modern vector illustration.
My goal was to create a historical map that captures not only the geography but also the spirit of those ancient cities, Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Nineveh, and Ashur, all thriving along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
The map features the six major deities of Mesopotamian mythology, Inanna, Marduk, Enlil, Enki, Anu, and Utu. They are displayed at the bottom of the map, surrounded by subtle elements referencing ziggurats, cuneiform tablets, and ancient iconography. Inside the info bubbles, I included details such as each city’s patron god, its timeline of prosperity, and its most notable rulers.
The infocartography
This was also my first attempt at creating a map with stronger infocartography elements. Mesopotamian histography is incredibly complex, filled with overlapping kingdoms and dynasties, so I wanted to make a fantasymap that also works as an educational and history poster. I tried to balance accuracy with storytelling, blending art and mythology art into one cohesive visual narrative. Even so, separating the ages cleanly proved nearly impossible, but that was part of the challenge and charm of the project.
After publishing the first version, the community’s feedback proved invaluable. Some viewers pointed out that my water system didn’t match historical records of the Tigris and Euphrates, so I completely reworked the river network. I also adjusted smaller details and refined several sections. That collaborative process made the final map far more authentic and satisfying. I’m genuinely grateful to everyone who helped make the final version stronger.
The finish
To finish the piece, I reused several of my Qatlasmap vector elements, mountains, trees, ships, and decorative borders, while creating entirely new illustrations for the cities and gods. These new artworks are available separately in my webshop, for those who’d like to use them in their own educational, fantasy, or illustrative projects.
You can explore them all here:
Creating this ancient map was both a creative and emotional journey. It’s my tribute to the world’s first civilization, a blend of history, art, and imagination, where the lines of the past meet the dreams of a mapmaker.
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