Ancient cultures develop unique navigation systems based on environment and language

Ancient cultures developed unique systems for navigation based on their environments and languages. Many used body references to define cardinal directions, with terms for north, south, east, and west often linked to physical orientation, such as front and back. The earliest known map, the Gasur map from Mesopotamia, identified cardinal directions through meteorological experiences rather than astronomical observations. This approach emphasized the importance of wind direction for agricultural societies, contrasting with other cultures that relied on celestial navigation. In Mesoamerica, the Mayans and Aztecs had distinct interpretations of cardinal directions, incorporating them into their cosmologies. Unlike the two-axis systems of Mesopotamia, they used a three-axis model, reflecting their complex understanding of the world and its creation.