Geographic Information in Pre-Iiterate Human Communities

Abstract

The contemporary concept of geographic information systems is a logical development of human curiosity about their environment. Primarily as a necessity for survival, this curiosity has prevailed since the recorded history of human existence. Successful understanding of spatial concepts and their representation as maps or models is an essential ingredient irrespective of the level of literacy of mapmakers. This paper focuses on a re-examination of the ability of pre-literature communities to construct maps and spatial models. Communities such as Inuit, Marshall Islanders, Siberian and Australian Aboriginal people are considered in the perspective of geographic information content, methodologies, spatial orientation abilities, and most importantly, the reason and purpose of such activities. The re-examination of the functional role of these maps and models in terms of contemporary geographic information concepts indicates that the importance of a pre-literate map or model was more significant to that community than a street directory or a road map is today.