Rectification of position data of Scotland in Ptolemy's Geographike Hyphegesis

TL;DR

This paper uses geodetic and statistical methods to analyze and correct the ancient geographic coordinates of Scottish locations in Ptolemy's Geographike Hyphegesis, revealing insights into historical cartography.

Contribution

It introduces a novel geodetic adjustment approach to model and rectify Ptolemaic position data for Scotland, addressing unresolved historical questions.

Findings

Estimated rotation parameters for Scotland's ancient coordinates.

Identified groups of places with homogeneous distortions.

Provided corrected positions for Ptolemaic Scottish locations.

Abstract

The ancient geographic coordinates given for places of Great Britain in Ptolemy's Geographike Hyphegesis are investigated by means of geodetic methods. The turning of Scotland to the east is modelled by a three-dimensional rotation. On the basis of different data sets of control points, the parameters of the rotation are estimated by means of methods of adjustment theory. Furthermore, a geodetic-statistical analysis method is applied to Scotland, by which groups of places of homogenous distortions and modern counterparts of the ancient places are determined. Based on the results of the investigations, answers are given for questions concerning Ptolemaic positions unsolved so far.