Definition: In 1986, the excavation of Chinese tombs of the Qin Kingdom from the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.) of the Chou (Zhou) Dynasty, revealed seven maps created between 300 and 239 B.C. Since they are located in Fangmatan, the Gui Xian/Guixian maps are also called Fangmatan maps. The mapmakers wrote with black ink on wood blocks. The map dimensions are about 1.1 cm thick by 26.7 cm in length, and their widths run from 15 to 18.1 cm. The areas covered on each of the maps partially overlap one another, allowing them to be pieced together. The maps include a drawing of the Guixian County of the Qin Kingdom. There are 66 places (People's Daily Online - April 30, 2002 says 82) named on the maps.
Source:
"The Qin Maps: A Clue to Later Chinese Cartographic Development"
Mei-Ling Hsu
Imago Mundi, Vol. 45. (1993), pp. 90-100.
Also Known As: Fangmatan Maps, Qin Maps
