2) Conibas: A rare and enigmatic 1597 map by Belgian cartographer Cornelius van Wytfliet was one of the first to detail Northern Canada including a strikingly massive and bizarre inland lake and island, both identified as “Conibas”. Found in other contemporary maps as well, the mysterious lake connects to the Arctic and on the island sits a lost city. Knowledge of Conibas is believed to have passed from explorer Jacques Cartier who travelled the region for the French in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. Cartier described a Native American tradition of “cornibotz”, a highly coveted shell used as currency, similar to wampum. “Cornibotz” were obtained by slashing the flesh of captives by sinking them into the lake for the wounds to collect the shells giving rise to Conibas, believed to have been the location of the resulting riches.
