Maps of the river Meinam and Ayutthaya, Siam, c 1690.

THAILAND - MARCH 30: Engraving by C Moore after drawings by Engelbert Kaempfer (1651-1716), from Kaempfer's 'The History of Japan' (1727). These maps of the river Meinam (present day Chao Phraya), and Ayutthaya, (Thailand) show custom houses, pyramids, and the mouth of the river Meinam. Kaempfer was a German physician working at the Dutch trading post in Japan from 1690-1692. He assembled a large collection, including natural specimens, costumes, books, calendars, and maps, which was to become part of the British Museum. On his return to Europe he wrote 'The History of Japan', which records many aspects of Japan in the Genroku period (1688- 1704). (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)