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The year of manufacture can only be estimated as 1533. The globe of only 11.9 centimeters (4.68 inches) in diameter shows the Earth only a few decades after the rediscovery of America. The Antarctica is clearly visible but was discovered by European sailors 290 years later. The general outlines amazingly match those shown today. Therefore, the marble globe of Gotha is counted among the category of puzzling maps of the late Middle Ages, of which there are only a hand full in the world. These puzzling maps document that the early man already disposed over a large geographical knowledge. The voyages of Christopher Columbus do not represent the beginning but only the continuation of much older exploration trips. The representation of that knowledge is lost in history. Three maps have acquired a special reputation as a mystery of cartography: the Waldseemüller map of 1507, the Piri Reis map of 1513 and the Finaeus map of 1531.

It is obvious that the manufacturer of the marble globe of Gotha took many parts from the described puzzling maps. Especially on areas for which he could not get new information. Nevertheless, the globe has numerous differences. So, he has certain innovations but also inaccuracies compared to the 20 years older puzzling maps. Most notable is the realistic representation of South America. It must be kept in mind that the oldest known cartographic expedition to the west coasts of South America has been carried out under Sir Francis Drake in 1580. This was 47 years after the assumed production year of the marble globe.

For the shooting of the ZDF film about my voyage with the ABORA III my partner Cornelia Lawrence and I made a sensational discovery. East of the South American continent perched a ship representation that has all the characteristics of an early Egyptian ship type. At first, we could not believe our eyes. However, the immediately conducted researches and comparisons with ancient Egyptian ship images and computer-aided image processing can hardly leave any doubts about our discovery.

This work evolved into a true scientific detective story. The representation of the Antarctica and even the label with the future name of this continent, which was not discovered until 290 years later, is an important indication that the content is not in compliance of our current historical knowledge. Thus, this Egyptian looking ship image could actually be a secret message. No contemporary or even later work of art ever again portrays an Egyptian vessel.

This means that there must be further research on the globe and early cartographical works to reveal the messages of these enigmatic representations of the past. For this reason, I am researching in cooperation with the company Messbildstelle Dresden and the Institute of Cartography at the Technical University of Dresden on the 3D georeferencing of the coasts of the marble globe. The results form the basis for my postdoctoral thesis in the field of the history of cartography, which seems to keep many secrets.