Using AI to Search Maps

The magnificent David Rumsey Map Collection now has an AI Search Assistant that can help you find maps, learn more about individual maps, and even query specific elements within maps.

The David Rumsey Map Collection is one of the largest online collections of maps, and its new AI Search Assistant is a fantastic resource. It not only helps you search and discover maps in the collection but also lets you dive deeper into individual maps and the cartographers who created them.

1. Find Maps in the Collection

From the David Rumsey Map Collection home page, you can now use the AI Search Assistant to find maps based on themes, locations, or any other criteria you can imagine. The Assistant will return a list of maps in the collection that match your search.

Examples of queries you might use are:

• Show me maps of ancient Rome
• Show panoramic maps of New York 
• Show maps that feature compass roses

Ask what projection is used in a map!

2. Ask Questions About an Individual Map

When viewing a specific map, click the blue chat icon in the bottom-right corner to open the AI Search Assistant. You can then ask technical or contextual questions about the map you’re looking at. 

For example:

• What map projection is used by this map?
• Can you translate the map title into English?
• Who was Mercator?

What is this building?

3. Ask Questions about Map Details

When viewing a map you can zoom in on details to ask questions about a specific section of the map. 

Examples of these types of queries might be:

• What was happening at the Colosseum in the time depicted?
• What is this building? 
• What do the words below the map say?