Digital Resources for Biblical Mapping
Mark Vitalis Hoffman
BibleTech:2008 - 26
January 2008
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Summary of Presentation
1: Types of Maps
- Satellite and Orthophoto: provide true detail that can be enhanced
- Physical: helpful base terrain
- Political: highlight historical shifts
- Relief: Shaded and Raised: provide sense of the land
- Road: help explain historical developments
- Topographic: probably not as helpful in light of 3D technologies
- Illustrations: provide help in visualizing events
2: Mapping Matters
- Copyright and Fair Use Considerations: basically okay if used for
education or non-profit and not selling or making permanent
- Orientation: N/S or E/W: Ancient world was E/W oriented; modern is N/S
- Accuracy, bias, coverage, appropriateness: influence of 'historicity,'
tradition, and archaeology
- Linked to modern locations: helpful for making correlation to present
- Edit-ability (i.e., mapping, not just maps): question of preference:
ready-made or editable
- Quality: usage, clarity, interactivity
- Using Maps: provide overview and perspective, aid in illustration
3: Digital Mapping Resources
- Examples of maps in various resources
- Demonstration of Mapping Programs
- Logos3
- BibleWorks7
- Accordance Bible Atlas
- BibleMapper
- HolyLand 3D
- GoogleEarth
4: Conclusions / Recommendations
No single program does it all, but I recommend:
- MacOS: Accordance Bible Atlas
- Windows
- Mapping: BibleMapper > BW7 > Accordance
- Interactivity: HolyLand3D / GoogleEarth
- Maps: depends… cf. list
- GoogleEarth combined with a variety of overlays and mapping options along with its extensive ability to link across the Internet
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