MAPS ARE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF SUMMARIZING PERCEPTIONS OF THE WORLD OF THE PAST- ACTING AS A BASIS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM AND INTERDISCIPLINARY WORK.

At the big INQUA Congress in Durban, South Africa in 1999, we are planning an inter-disciplinary Quaternary 'map room' display, and a workshop on mapping strategies.

The idea is to provide an open display and forum for all types of maps which people are putting together, on any aspect of the Quaternary and late Tertiary. People will be able to come in, walk around, learn what others are up to, and discuss the maps with their authors. We also hope to publish a compendium volume and/or a compendium web site which compiles the latest and most useful Quaternary maps, providing a valuable reference source for all.

Some good topics that spring to mind include maps of ice-sheet extent, paleovegetation, historic patterns of forest loss, past sea levels/coastlines, climate parameters (from data or from models), past human distributions, animal distributions etc etc. They can be on any scale from a province to the whole world.

Basically it could be anything, as long as it's on a map. The idea is to get people talking and aware of what others are doing. We find that people often worry about plagiarism of any previously unpublished compilations that they might present at a public forum, especially on the internet. Yet it is hardly a realistic possibility if you display your map before thousands of experts in the field simultaneously (for everyone will know that the map was your work in the first place). Anyway, stealing is not in the sprit of INQUA which has long been noted for its atmosphere of fair-mindedness and co-operative openness.

Expect constructive criticism of your maps when they are on display - be sure to leave your ego at home!

Jonathan Adams and Hugues Faure.

CONTRIBUTING TO THE MAP ROOM.

PLEASE E-MAIL A PRELIMINARY ABSTRACT DESCRIBING YOUR PROPOSED MAP CONTRIBUTION (IN ABOUT 100 WORDS) TO DR D.M. AVERY, WHO IS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE NEXT INQUA CONGRESS

Details of the INQUA Congress in Durban, South Africa

Note that travel assistance from INQUA to attend the Congress may be available if you are from a developing country or if you are a student

Further details on the INQUA Congress in Durban