The Yam's Secret Maps: Mongol Cartography on the Steppe

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the often-overlooked world of Mongol cartography and how the Yam relay network was guided by maps and geographical knowledge. They discuss the role of Uyghur and Chinese cartographers like Yeheidie'erding (Jamal al-Din), the production of the 'Jami' al-tawarikh' world history atlas under Rashid al-Din, and the practical steppe maps used by yam riders. The conversation covers how Mongol conquests were aided by captured Chinese and Persian mapmakers, the use of grid systems in Yuan dynasty maps, and the famous 'Kangnido' map that later influenced Korean cartography. Specific maps and texts mentioned include the 'Da Ming Hunyi Tu', the 'Shengjiao Guangbei Tu', and the lost 'Mongol World Map' that Marco Polo may have seen. Lunar notes how the Yam's efficiency relied not just on horses and stations but on the geographical intelligence that kept riders on course across featureless steppes and deserts. #MongolCartography #YamNetwork #RashidAldin #JamalAldin #Yeheidieerding #YuanDynasty #Kangnido #DaMingHunyiTu #UyghurCartographers #MongolEmpire #History #FexingoHistory #SteppeGeography #MarcoPolo #ChineseMaps #PersianMaps #SilkRoad #Karakorum #GenghisKhan #YamSystem Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo