A historical review of the geographical information on the source of the N ile contained within the ‘ B ook of N avigation’ ( K itab‐ı B ahriye )

The K itab‐ı B ahriye ( B ook of N avigation), one of the leading works of P iri R eis, combines numerous maps with geographic information relating to the coasts and islands of the M editerranean S ea. In addition to the maps, P iri R eis also provides substantial information on the physical geography of local ports, the depths of coastal waters, possible anchoring points for vessels, drinking water sources, notably wells, and the locations of surface and ground water sources that were not, or could not be, included on maps. The K itab‐ı B ahriye also provides information regarding the N ile, one of the most important rivers in the world. Some of the most remarkable information relates to the source of the N ile. In this study, research was undertaken in consultation with the information relating to the source of the N ile in the K itab‐ı B ahriye . This was premised on the historic assumption that the O kavango D elta may be the source of the N ile. In line with the this hypothesis, the region's ground and surface water flows were analysed starting from the O kavango D elta and subsequently moving to L ake V ictoria, which is generally considered to be the source of the N ile by many researchers.