Writing the text for the project Tales from a 1493 World Map: Playing with Augmented Reality (AR) was meant to be a straightforward task – just a bit of history, a touch of mythology, and voilà, a finished story. In reality, it turned into a full-scale expedition through time, culture, and a bestiary of fantastical creatures that make Godzilla seem downright tame.
Though my journalism background prepared me for chasing deadlines and digging for facts, tackling a 1493 German medieval map brimming with monsters borrowed from Greek, Roman, and other mythologies was an entirely different challenge. Let’s just say neither history nor myth was accompanied by a user guide.
For an entire month, Tory, the Head of the library’s Research & Learning Support, and I became part-time historians and mythical creature specialists. We scoured the HKUST library as if it were a treasure trove, navigating dusty tomes and digital archives from museums across Europe and North America. We encountered ancient manuscripts, encyclopedias, and artistic interpretations that looked like the creative output of medieval monks during a very long sermon.
The greatest challenge? Distinguishing fact from fiction – or, as I came to call it, playing medieval myth-whack-a-mole. One source portrayed a beast as a noble fire-breather; another insisted it was merely an irritable lizard with attitude problems. Greek? Roman? Or the product of a medieval artist’s vivid imagination? The choices were many, and we had to decide carefully, because presenting 21 monsters with conflicting legends is rather like hosting a banquet where every guest insists on being the center of attention.
Ultimately, the process was more than research; it was a lesson in patience, critical analysis, and mastering the art of sustained focus. We crafted a narrative that wove together centuries of myth and history, breathing new life into these ancient tales – without falling prey to any dragons along the way.
It turns out medieval maps are not merely geographical tools—they are epic storyboards of humanity’s wildest imaginations, sprinkled with just a hint of “what were they thinking?” Now it’s your turn to discover these wonders yourself. Step up to our AR display near the Library’s G/F entrance or visit the project page to play with the past—no time machine required.
Erin Chan
Assistant Officer (Research Support)
lberin@ust.hk
Views: 73
