Soleto Map

[1] While the ostrakon itself is undoubtedly ancient, serious doubts have been raised about the age of the map.

The map was discovered in Soleto (southern Italy) by Belgian archaeologist Thierry van Compernolle of Montpellier University on August 21, 2003.

[2] Scratched into a pottery fragment that dates back to 500 BC, the map includes letters derived from a Greek script.

[4] According to Yntema, the map looks like a school atlas with placenames engraved with north at the top.

Finally, the engravings follow the precise borders of the ostrakon itself, which suggests that the map was made after the pot was broken.