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    Jonathan

    Mapping Scotland

    By Jonathan, in Blog,

    The National Library of Scotland has just announced the completion of a project which has resulted in the digitization of nearly 160,000 maps. I know I recently blogged about another map project. What can I say, I really like maps. They tell unique stories about the past that are impossible to understand from other sources. For example, by looking at military maps, it is possible to understand the way military officials viewed potential security risks and decided where to build barracks and other defenses. They also happen to be incredibly detailed. 

    National Library of Scotland
    This project goes beyond Ordnance maps, which are becoming fairly common online. You can also view by estates for example. They also have coastal surveys, town and county maps. Each of these tells a different story. Coastal maps were incredibly important as shipping became a more important economic venture for Scotland in the 18th and 19th centuries. 
    Go checkout the maps at the National Library of Scotland. I'd love to hear what you think in the comments below! 
     
     
    Jonathan
    I ran across this really interesting article on NPR recently about a new digital humanities project out of the University of Richmond in Virginia: Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America. This project traces the history in the Home Owner's Loan Corporation in the aftermath of the Great Depression. This organization created maps of various cities across the United States which highlighted areas viewed as "hazardous" or "high security." What is really fascinating about this is the correlation between race and areas that were "redlined." The neighborhoods viewed as the highest security risk were predominately African-American.

    Mapping Inequality
    You should definitely check it out. I will add the digital humanities project to the resources database soon! 
    Check out the article on NPR
     
     

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