"Hydrophylacium Africae precipuum, in Montibus Lunae…", Kircher, Athanasius

Fascinating map of the southern part of Africa showing the fountains of the Nile located in an underground cavern beneath the Mountains of the Moon. Kircher's map illustrates a report by Peter Paez, a contemporary Jesuit colleague, that purportedly observed the 'fountains' in 1618. Athanasius Kircher was a Jesuit scholar whose theories included the notion that the world's oceans were all interconnected and there was a vast network of underground springs and reservoirs. Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World by Johann Waesberger.

References: Norwich #157.

Condition: A

Fine impression and attractive later color. Small stain at upper left, else fine.