Sharjah24: One of the most priceless exhibits at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) was the replica of the world’s oldest Homo sapiens skull.
Discovered in Morocco’s Jebel Irhoud in 2017, the skull is amongst several stunning archeological finds that also included bones, and teeth of five individuals who were estimated to have lived about 315,000 years ago in and around the region.
Also found were other sophisticated stone tools and charcoal, indicating early fire use. But it is the skull that continues to draw attention globally and as does its replica on display at SIBF for the first time, offering a glimpse into humanity’s past.
But that wasn’t the only thing to marvel at this SIBF. If you thought Morocco is all about Ibn Battuta’s legacy then you may have missed Muhammad Al-Idrisi’s 12th century map on display at Morocco who were the Guest of Honour this SIBF.
This groundbreaking map, part of Al-Idrisi's celebrated work The Excursion of One Who is Eager to Traverse the Regions of the World (completed in 1154) and commissioned in 1145 by King Roger II of Sicily, represents one of the most advanced geographical studies of its time.
Translated into Latin and studied by scholars worldwide, the map significantly influenced global cartography.
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