Do we all share a fascination with maps?


Judging from the interest of all the people who have seen this map of Essex, the young archaeologists are likely to be fascinated with it at our next meeting. This is only a section of the  1610 Speed map of the county of Essex, scanned for us to a high resolution. I particularly like "Bricklesey" in the "TENDERING HUNDRED". The map was made before the days of Dr Johnson and spelling standards for words and place names. Not visible on this part of the map, but the map maker left the "L" out of Chelmsford and popped it between the "E" and the "M" above "CHEMESFORD HUNDRED". There is plenty of space for  the young people to "personalise" this map of Essex with their own images, colourings and artworks as Michael Landy did, with his "Map of Essex from 1579, which is still on display in the entrance to the Firstsite gallery.

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