Antarctic futures: Tourism and the tipping point Joyce Seale Critical Review of Charles Hapgood’s interpretation of the Antarctic continent on the Piri Reis Map of 1513

Abstract

This paper is a critical review of Charles Hapgood's interpretations of the Antarctic continent on the Piri Reis Map of 1513. His two books, Maps of the Ancient Sea Kings and Path of the Pole establish his hypothesis that the Piri Reis Map of 1513 shows the present day coastline of the Antarctic continent free of ice. Is his theory that the maps of Antarctica were made thousands of years ago by a lost civilisation credible or just the perfect foundation for the next science fiction novel? This paper is a critical review of Charles Hapgood's interpretations of the Antarctic continent on the Piri Reis Map of 1513. His two books, Maps of the Ancient Sea Kings and Path of the Pole establish his hypothesis that the Piri Reis Map of 1513 shows the present day coastline of the Antarctic continent free of ice. Is his theory that the maps of Antarctica were made thousands of years ago by a lost civilisation credible or just the perfect foundation for the next science fiction novel?