Question 1: Why do maps show 'North' on top?

Why do most maps show the Northern direction towards the top of the map? An answer like it is the accepted convention is far from satisfactory, and neccessitates further investigation.

I have seen maps like this one which challenge the generally accepted view, and seek to break pre-conceived notions, but the question here was a little more fundamental.

Intuitively, it seems that for the early civilizations that flourished at the mercy of the Sun, for the success or failure of crops and the continuation of life itself, that the direction of the Sun's rise represented hope and might have been considered holy and God-like for power to give and sustain life. That being the case, it is not inconceivable that buildings of importance like temples and even palaces would have been oriented towards the east, in the direction of the Sun.

Then, when it came to depicting the map in images, social norms would dictate that the more important building be shown at the top of the image rather than at the bottom, with the result that East would probably feature on the top.

Something to think about? Maybe.

More resources on this here and there.

Question 0: Why such a blog?

It would be rather presumptuous to start a blog with such an ambitious tagline ("questions that no man has questioned before"), were it not for the encouragement of a wonderful mentor and gentleman fondly referred to by his friends as Papa.

The name 'Papa' is a result of the actions of the gentleman behind the name, who captured the affections of those around him, and offered a warm, familial touch that is uncanny in its similarity to fatherly affection. And ergo, he came to be called 'Papa', and said "let there be a blog", and there was a blog.

Then, it was but inevitable, that questions from the 'children' under Papa's care engulfed him and sometime left him speechless. It is with the intention of sharing these questions with the world that Papa started this blog, so that the world may benefit from his finite wisdom.

We invite you to participate in this journey, and share our vision of a world where no questions are left unquestioned, or undocumented, even if they remain unanswered.

Vision

To question what no man has questioned before