The Library of Macau University of Science and Technology grants public access to a special collection of 500 duplicated ancient maps, which were made during the 15th century to 20th century; the public can visit the Library in person and view the collection in the library’s reading rooms or visit the library’s online database, which houses over 700 ancient maps, including some manuscripts of very high historical values.
Ancient maps are historic materials that are of great values. While marking hydrographic features, early cartographers drew graphs of the most characteristic figures or stories of the area, which vividly depict the knowledge or even imaginations of another place. As early as four hundred years ago, Macau has had presence in world maps drawn by the West, giving testimony to Macau’s identity of being one of the most known cities in the Far East and its important role in the exchange of China and the West. These ancient maps can help us to know thoroughly Macau’s history and discover the glories and hard knocks Macau once experienced in the long history. At the same time, these ancient maps are also well-crafted art pieces; we believe that they will provide abundant inspirations for Macau’s cultural creative industry.
The M.U.S.T. Library spent four years retrieving from libraries, archive centers, museums and other organizations all over the world, collected over two thousand ancient maps that are related to Macau; what is now open to the public is only a portion of the collection; when the relevant librarian work is completed, the Library will grant the Macau public access to more valuable ancient maps.
The public can visit M.U.S.T. library and appreciate the maps at the library’s reading rooms, or they can watch the maps online through http://gmom.must.edu.mo. The opening hours of the services are 10 am to 1 pm and 3pm to 6 pm from Monday to Friday; the services are closed on weekends and public holidays. If services are needed at other time than the opening hours, or if there is request for a group visit, please make an appointment with the library. For enquiries about the service, please call 8897-2032 or email to library_map@must.edu.mo; for more service guidelines, please go to http://lib.must.edu.mo/page/guidelines-for-the-special-collection-of-maps.
Name: Map of East Asia
Cartographer: Fernao VazDourado
Year: 1571
The Map of East Asia drawn by Portuguese cartographer Fernao VazDourado in 1571 is known as one of the earliest maps that officially mark Macau using the term “Macao”; it labeled in red “macao” at the mouth of the Pearl River.
The public can view the ancient maps at the M.U.S.T. Library.
