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A late 18th century map of Asia published in London by John Bowles, with regions indicated by colour. Central Borneo is labelled ‘Part inhabited by the Biayos’, which is seen on many contemporary maps, often with the comment ‘a savage people’.

A label on the island of Borneo states ‘Beajous Afgodendienaars bewonende het middelste gedeelte van 't Eiland [Beajous idolaters inhabit the middle part of the Island]’. Mountains are marked pictorially; settlements with a red building symbol.

A label on the island of Borneo states ‘Beajous Afgodendienaars bewonende het middelste gedeelte van 't Eiland [Beajous idolaters inhabit the middle part of the Island]’. Mountains are marked pictorially; settlements with a red building symbol.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the English cartographer John Senex, featuring labels noting details of the inhabitants of some areas e.g. on Borneo: ‘The Middle of this Isle is Inhabited by a People call’d Beaujous Idolaters’.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

This early 18th century map of Asia features a drawing of a woman burning offerings on an altar, while two children carry cornucopias, and a camel looks on. The Roman god Mercury descends from the sky in the background wearing his winged helmet.

An early 18th century map of Asia by the English cartographer John Senex, featuring labels noting details of the inhabitants of some areas e.g. on Borneo: ‘The Middle of this Isle is Inhabited by a People call’d Beaujous Idolaters’.

A mid-17th century map of Asia decorated with a border of drawings of Asian cities and Asian rulers, including the port of Bantam (Banten) at the western end of Java, and a portrait of ‘Rex Moluccae’ the ‘king’ of the Moluccas (Maluku Islands).