The “Da Ming Hun Yi Tu“, the Amalgamated Map of the Great Ming Empire, dates back to 1389, decades before the first European voyages to Africa. It shows a detail which is arguably the oldest world map in existence that accurately reflects the African continent. This challenges everything we have been taught about which foreigners first explored our continent.

The original of the map is housed in Beijing where it has remained wrapped up, sealed and stowed behind a locked door since the fall of Chinas last emperor in 1924. Fewer than 20 people have had access to it since then. The digitised reproduction of the map on silk was unveiled on Monday in South Africa’s Parliament, and is four by four metres in size.