Articles | Volume 8, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-8-69-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/hgss-8-69-2017
07 Aug 2017
 | 07 Aug 2017

A statistical approach to latitude measurements: Ptolemy's and Riccioli's geographical works as case studies

Luca Santoro

Abstract. The aim of this work is to analyze latitude measurements typically used in historical geographical works through a statistical approach. We use two sets of different age as case studies: Ptolemy's Geography and Riccioli's work on geography. A statistical approach to historical latitude and longitude databases can reveal systematic errors in geographical georeferencing processes. On the other hand, once exploiting the right statistical analysis, this approach can also lead to new information about ancient city locations.

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Short summary
Historical geographical works typically contain many latitude measurements of locations: all show measurement errors and some of these refer to lost cities. How can we estimate errors? How can we know the right position of lost cities? This work shows a general approach to give a scientific answer to these questions in two particular case studies: Ptolemy's Geography and Riccioli's work on geography.