The invention of the map cannot be attributed to a single individual, as cartography has evolved over thousands of years through the contributions of many cultures and people.
Historically, the earliest maps can be traced back to ancient Babylon around 2300 BCE, where clay tablets depicted the surrounding regions. However, the Greeks made significant advancements in map-making, with figures like Anaximander in the 6th century BCE and later Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE, who created detailed world maps based on extensive travel and observations.
In the Middle Ages, Islamic scholars such as Al-Idrisi contributed to cartography with more accurate maps of the world, improving upon earlier works. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for the wider distribution of maps, further advancing the field.
Therefore, it’s more accurate to say that maps are an amalgamation of knowledge from various cultures and eras rather than the invention of one person.