Arabic Gallery

Al-Idrisis world map, 1154

Al-Idrisi's world map. This world map, known as the 'Tabula Rogeriana', dates from 1154, and is orientated with North at bottom. It was drawn by Muhammad Al-Idrisi (1100-1165), an Islamic and Andalusian scholar working for King Roger II of Sicily. It is considered to have been the most accurate world map for the next three centuries. Regions shown include Europe (lower right), the Mediterranean Sea (centre right), North Africa (upper right), the Arabian Peninsula (upper centre), the Black Sea and Caspian Sea (lower centre), and parts of Asia (left). This is a restoration and transliteration carried out in 1927 by the German scholar Konrad Miller (1844-1933).

© LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, GEOGRAPHY AND MAP DIVISION/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Persian pharmacy, 13th century artwork

Persian pharmacy. 13th century Arabic artwork entitled 'The Preparation of Medicine from Honey'. This image was produced in Baghdad, Iraq, whilst it was still part of the Persian Empire. It is from a 1224 Arabic translation of the manuscript De Materia Medica, written by the ancient Greek physician Dioscurides (c.40-c.90 AD), in which he described herbs and herbal remedies. A doctor can be seen stirring the medicine in a large bowl over an open fire (centre), while the large pots (urns) used to store it are at top.

© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Entrance to the Khan el-Khalili souk in Cairo, in the 19th century, from 'El

KW478317 Entrance to the Khan el-Khalili souk in Cairo, in the 19th century, from 'El Mundo Ilustrado', published Barcelona, 1880 (litho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The entrance to the Khan el-Khalili souk or market in Cairo, Egypt, in the 19th century. Illustration from 'El Mundo Illustrado' or 'The World Illustrated'.); Ken Welsh; European, out of copyright

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