Map of the Shire

Map of The Shire

Image: Photography, ‘Hobbiton.’ Photographer: Duncan Cumming. Flickr. Taken on January 19th,2017. https://www.flickr.com/photos/duncan/32030185410/in/photolist-QNp5d3-Rc7m8B-21F59G5-dYGKXb-Rc7uAZ-RnKAEx-Q6ioXu-dYGLAo-21CUdTC-QNoZJd-Q95fyn-21F58dy-Q6iFRQ-Q95zrH-ZCztXE-ZCzkPq-RnKn9K-rEK25E-rD1uhg-dYzUpc-dYGN4q-R9tkc5-rXd4dS-Q94YgH-RnKoev-21CUfYQ-Rjgt3d-ZnqsjP-ZnqCzD-RnKkgM-rET4LM-rgoykF-QNprK1-rXg8LH-ZnqBRp-r1x5aK-rTS6wx-ZCzuaJ-rXkwGD-rEK1CY-t9rTB-21CUdZj-GMfMbH-21HQPez-rXkw5X-Q95cdp-r1knXU-ZwUffe-Q95naD-Q6iyxG.

Title of Object: Map of The Shire

Medium: Paper map with wooden frame

Date of Manufacture: 3021

Place of Manufacture: The Shire

Artifact Number: m-h 103

 

The artifact that is displayed is a detailed map of the Shire, a village that is inland and sheltered from the rest of Middle-Earth. This map depicts many of the significant areas that are commonly populated with Hobbits. As well as markings that indicate paths commonly walked on, rivers, and large bodies of water that are found within the Shire. This artifact depicts the Shire in great detail, in order to display and properly document the intricacies of the area populated with Hobbits.

 

 

Significance of the Map of the Shire

           The artifact chosen to be donated to the Mathom-House Museum is a detailed map of the Shire; located inland in Middle-Earth. This essay about the artifact will explore the significance behind the use of this map, the history that the artifact represents, as well as its cultural significance. The map of the Shire that was donated to the Mathom-House Museum is significant because it explains the intricacies of the area of Middle-Earth that is commonly populated by Hobbits.

            The donated artifact is a map of the Shire that explains not only the geography of the area, but also how it was travelled by many of the great Hobbit adventurers over the years. This map details many notable locations that contribute to scholars gaining a better understanding of this area. One of these locations is Tookland, which was considered the land of the Took’s where many of the Took clan resided. This is useful in the Mathom-House museum because it can be used to look over the areas that prominent Hobbit families lived and had settled in for generations. Another use of this artifact is that there are paths that are commonly travelled in red throughout the entirety of the map. This helps scholars understand how this land was travelled, as many would pass through the Shire while on journeys to other places in Middle-Earth. Having a full layout of the geography of the Shire allows for a deeper understanding of where the Hobbits lived and how they travelled throughout the heavily secluded area of Middle-Earth.

            The significance of the history of this donated artifact is that it helps in understanding why it is useful to the Mathom-House Museum. That’s because, when considering the detail in this map of the Shire, it becomes apparent that this has the most current information included in it. The map has centuries worth of information and changes throughout it, so that the Museum could have access to the most current copy of the Shire’s map. The Shire is known for being exceedingly separate from the events that are constantly unfolding in Middle-Earth. Which means that the information that is contained in the map, has not been given to those outside of the Shire prior to its donation to the Museum. This is significant because allowing this information to be added to the museum allows for a better understanding of the Hobbit’s homes for those who had never travelled to the Shire before. With the Shire and the Hobbits wanting to become more involved with the outside workings of Middle-Earth, the donation of their detailed map is a promising step in that direction. This allows for a better understanding of their history when considering how long many of these villages have been present within the Shire.

            The cultural significance of the map of the Shire indicates the change that Hobbits had undergone in recent years. Following the War of the Ring, the Hobbits began to change their habits and began to document their history. This was a notable shift from the previous practices of the Hobbits, and this is reflected by sharing this artifact with the Museum. The Hobbits were known as a solidary species that rarely interacted with other beings in Middle-Earth outside of the Shire. This shift represents a cultural change that they underwent following this war. The map of the Shire represents the importance that was placed on documenting their history in the aftermath of war. That’s because the attention to detail that can be found throughout the entirety of the map indicates a great level of care that went into making this artifact accurate. The inclusion of this map as a donated artifact is an example of the Hobbit’s desire to have their history and culture included at the Museum. In order to confirm that their stories and histories were being properly represented after centuries of keeping them private within the Shire.

            Therefore, the donation of the map of the Shire to the Mathom-House Museum was an indication of the change that occurred within the community of Hobbits in the years that followed the War of the Ring. This was examined by looking at the use of the artifact, the history that it represented, as well as the cultural significance of its inclusion at the Museum. The map of the Shire is a notable artifact that helps uncover the history of the Shire. As well as, the lives and habits of the Hobbits who reside in the Shire, after years of separation from the rest of Middle-Earth and the events that took place throughout it.