Digital Resources for Biblical Mapping
Mark Vitalis Hoffman
SBL Boston - 24 November 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
- BibleMapper3
- Accordance Bible Atlas
- BibleWorks7/8 Map Module
- Logos3
- Parsons Bible Atlas in QuickVerse2009
- BibleMap.org
- Interactive Satellite Map of the Holy Land
- Manna Bible Maps
- e-Sword maps
- NET / neXt Bible
- BibleAtlas.org
- HolyLand 3D
- GoogleEarth
4: Conclusions / Recommendations
No single program does it all, but I recommend:
- Overall: Integration and Features
- Accordance > HolyLand3D > BW7/8 > BibleAtlas.org
- Map Creation
- BibleMapper > Accordance > BW7/8
- Interactivity
- HolyLand3D / GoogleEarth > Accordance
- Free Mapping Resources
- GoogleEarth, BibleAtlas.org, NET/neXt Bible
- Maps: depends…
- The future…
- GoogleEarth
- High resolution with 3D data (but with a Terrain
layer were available)
- Navigation, flyovers, elevations
- Use with overlays and KMZ files
(OpenBible.info)
- Use in conjunction with existing maps
- Extensive ability to link across the Cloud:
reference works, photos, layers
- Free and able to be linked from Bible
texts/software
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