Buzz
Fans of Amazon Prime’s latest Lord of the Rings series, The Rings of Power, have likely noticed the show’s innovative use of a Middle-earth map to transition between distant storylines. This map, a faithful adaptation of the iconic one from the original trilogy, was originally crafted by J.R.R. Tolkien’s son, Christopher Tolkien, based on his father’s detailed sketches.
If the brief glimpses of the map in the series leave you disoriented in such a vast and unfamiliar world, don’t worry. As CNET reports, Amazon Prime has made the complete map available online for detailed exploration. It’s even downloadable—no Prime subscription required.
So that's the location of Númenor. | Prime Video/Amazon StudiosWhile the map lacks intricate details, it serves as a helpful tool for newcomers to Middle-earth, preventing exposure to potential spoilers. For those craving deeper insights, the Lord of the Rings Project, also known as LotrProject, offers a far more detailed alternative.
Emil Johansson, a Tolkien enthusiast from Sweden, initially developed the site—independent of the Tolkien estate—in 2012 as a genealogical resource for the author’s vast array of characters. Over time, he incorporated a map that allows filtering by characters, locations, and more. For instance, you can trace Frodo and Sam’s journey from the Shire to Mordor and identify where other Fellowship members diverged.
One of LotrProject’s most enlightening features is its timeline, an interactive tool that merges the universe’s historical events with its geographical context. On one side, a written timeline begins with the Elves’ origins in the Years of the Trees and extends through the Fourth Age (post-The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, both set in the Third Age). On the other side, an interactive map highlights key locations with pins.
To avoid spoilers for The Rings of Power, it’s advisable to skip the timeline—or at least the Second Age section, where the series is set. Otherwise, relax with a pipe of Old Toby and dive into exploration.
