Antique geological map of the shores of the Dead Sea, 1874

The Geological Map of the Shores of the Dead Sea (Carte Géologique des Bords de la Mer Morte), created by Louis Lartet in 1874, is a landmark in the history of geological and archaeological exploration in the Middle East. Commissioned under the patronage of Duc de Luynes, a French aristocrat and scholar, the map was part of a broader scientific expedition aimed at studying the geography, geology, and ancient history of the Dead Sea region.

Louis Lartet, a noted geologist and paleontologist, led the scientific aspects of the expedition, and his work culminated in this detailed geological map, which meticulously documents the stratigraphy, rock formations, fault lines, and topographical features surrounding the Dead Sea. The map was published as part of the Duc de Luynes’ monumental three-volume work, Voyage d'exploration à la mer Morte, à Petra et sur la rive gauche du Jourdain, a comprehensive record of the 1864 expedition.

Rendered with precision, the map uses color-coded strata to indicate different geological periods and rock types, offering a scientific understanding of a region steeped in biblical and historical significance. It includes annotations on limestone, basalt, gypsum, and salt formations, reflecting the complex and dramatic geology of this tectonically active area, located in the Jordan Rift Valley.

Beyond its scientific value, the map reflects 19th-century European fascination with the Holy Land and the merging of modern science with classical exploration. It helped lay the groundwork for future geological and archaeological research in the region.

Lartet’s map stands as a testament to early interdisciplinary fieldwork, combining geology, geography, and archaeology in a single ambitious project. Today, it remains a valuable historical document, illustrating both the natural history and the intellectual curiosity that defined the era of grand scientific expeditions.