The Maghrib's Medieval Mariners and Sea Maps: The Muqaddimah as a Primary Source

Ibn Khaldoun Muqaddimah 's richness includes an interesting insight into an issue rarely discussed in the classical sources, that is pre‐modern Muslim mariners ‐ notably those who are active in the Western Mediterranean. This field has been carried out by actors who are rarely concerned with writing down their expertise. The practice is not usually depicted in the realm of the elite. Yet Ibn Khaldoun took the time to discuss the life of these practioners, which contributed to the heart of his methodology, and helped build his theoretical views. It also gives us concrete information that supports the scattered cartographic and textual sources depicting the important role of the Maghribi medieval mariners in shaping Islamic maritime knowledge.