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'''Dark Land''', also referred to as [[Dark Country]] is a mysterious continent south of [[Middle-earth]]. No [[Elves]] or [[Dwarves]] live here, but there could be wild [[Men]] here. The [[Númenórean]]s probably visited it on their long journeys, although it is not known if they established dwellings there.
{{disambig-two|the mysterious dark continent|other "Dark Land" in [[Middle-earth]]|[[Mordor]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Dark Land
| image=[[File:Quentin Lowagie - Arda in the Third Age.png|250px]]
| caption="Arda in the Third Age" by Quentin Lowagie
| pronun=
| othernames=South Land
| location=South-east [[Arda]]
| type=Continent
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
The '''Dark Land''', also referred to as the '''South Land''', was a continent that lay in south-east [[Arda]].<ref name=AmbarV>{{SM|A5}}</ref>


As seen in the [[The Shaping of Middle-earth |Ambarkanta]], it occupies a position on [[Arda]] much like Antarctica and Australia do compared to Eurasia, if Antarctica and Australia were one land-mass.
==History==
The Dark Land was created as a by-product of the [[Battle of the Powers]], in which the [[Valar]] overthrew [[Melkor]] in his original fortress of [[Utumno]].<ref name="SM293">{{SM|5b}}, pp. 293-294</ref><ref name="SM305">{{SM|5e}}, p. 305</ref> Originally, [[Middle-earth]] was one landmass, set between the western sea of [[Belegaer]] and the [[East Sea]].<ref>{{SM|A4}}</ref> This changed during the War; the inland [[Sea of Ringil]], originally set in the mid-south of Middle-earth, grew in size and "became a great sea flowing north-eastward and joining by straits both the Western and Eastern Seas."<ref name="SM293"/> This event split Middle-earth into two landmasses, and the landmass to the south and east of the former Sea of Ringil<ref group=note>Confusingly, the former Sea of Ringil was also called the "East Sea" by Tolkien on one early map. See {{SM|A5}}.</ref> was known as the Dark Land.<ref name="SM305"/><ref name=AmbarV />


Before [[Africa]] was visited by people from Europe, it was known as the "Dark Land". It is possible that Tolkien could have been inspired by this.
No inhabitants of the Dark Land were ever recorded. The Dark Land may have been part of the [[Empty Lands]] that [[Ilúvatar]] "cast back" during the [[Downfall of Númenor]].<ref name=LR>{{LR|P1II4}}, p. 32 ("If this region [the [[Empty Lands]]] ... is to be related to Ambarkanta Map V it must be what is there called the ''[[Burnt Land of the Sun]]''; perhaps also ''the Dark Land''[.]")</ref>


In the game ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'' by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]], a [[Sindarin]] name for the Dark Land &mdash; '''Morenor''' (probably intended to mean "Dark Middle-earth") &mdash; was given, although it does not appear in any of Tolkien's writings. If the name existed in Sindarin at all the form would more likely be '''Morennor'''.
==Inspiration==
The Dark Land is named only in an early map by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]],<ref name=AmbarV /> likely dating to the mid-1930s.<ref>{{HM|LR}}, pp. 9, 108</ref><ref>{{CG|RG}}, p. 42</ref>


----
[[Tolkien fandom|Fans]] have suggested and discussed different theories of inspiration behind the Dark Land:
*the Dark Land as reminiscent of [[Wikipedia:Lemuria (continent)|Lemuria]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Travis (?Henry)|articleurl=https://tolkienlistsearch.herokuapp.com/message/5e9c35fd231bf7461a6c9aa9|articlename=Re: an objection! (354.18)|dated=2009-05-08|website=[[Elfling]]|accessed=2022-09-23}}</ref>
*the Dark Land as perhaps representing a combination of both Australia and Antarctica (because of its geographic position).<ref>"[http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=212156 Dark Land...a continent south of Middle Earth?]" at [http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/default.asp The Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza Forum] (accessed 20 October 2011)</ref>


It is also a name of [[Mordor]], the dwelling place of [[Sauron]] in the southeast of Middle-earth. Mordor literally means "Dark Land".
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Although never fleshed out in much detail, a "dark continent" called Mórenorë is said to be situated south of Middle-earth, separated by the sea of Haragaer.<ref>{{ICE|2003}}, pp. 7, 9</ref> A few glimpses of this remote continent, however, were provided:
*A black cold-drake, Naikamil, fled from mountains in the south of Endor to Mórenorë after killing her mate.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 102</ref>
*[[Ungoliant]], a monster of the Elder Days, is said to have "settled in the shadowy reaches of Morenórë, the Dark Continent",<ref group=note>Inspired by a passage in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', which says that Ungoliant went "into the forgotten south of the world", after having dwelt at [[Nan Dungortheb]] (cf. "[[Of the Flight of the Noldor]]").</ref> according to tales of the Avari Elves.<ref>{{ICE|2006}}, p. 117</ref>
*Ninko Goldmaster, a merchant with a shady past appearing as a non-player character in an adventure setting owned shares in ships travelling to legendary Mórenorë.<ref>{{ICE|3112}}, p. 117</ref>
 
In his work ''[[Parma Endorion]]'', [[Michael Martinez]] coined the term ''Hyarmenor'' to refer to the Dark Land.<ref>{{webcite|author=Michael Martinez|articleurl=http://www.frodo.ru/library/tolkien/Essays_on_Middle-Earth.pdf|articlename=Parma Endorion|dated=2001|website=Frodu.ru|accessed=16 March 2018}}</ref>
 
==See also==
*[[Nether Darkness]]
*[[Land of the Sun]]
 
{{references|note}}
__NOTOC__
 
[[Category:Arda]]
[[de:Dunkelland]]
[[fi:Musta Maa]]

Latest revision as of 10:30, 25 March 2024

This article is about the mysterious dark continent. For the other "Dark Land" in Middle-earth, see Mordor.
Dark Land
Continent
Quentin Lowagie - Arda in the Third Age.png
"Arda in the Third Age" by Quentin Lowagie
General Information
Other namesSouth Land
LocationSouth-east Arda
TypeContinent

The Dark Land, also referred to as the South Land, was a continent that lay in south-east Arda.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

The Dark Land was created as a by-product of the Battle of the Powers, in which the Valar overthrew Melkor in his original fortress of Utumno.[2][3] Originally, Middle-earth was one landmass, set between the western sea of Belegaer and the East Sea.[4] This changed during the War; the inland Sea of Ringil, originally set in the mid-south of Middle-earth, grew in size and "became a great sea flowing north-eastward and joining by straits both the Western and Eastern Seas."[2] This event split Middle-earth into two landmasses, and the landmass to the south and east of the former Sea of Ringil[note 1] was known as the Dark Land.[3][1]

No inhabitants of the Dark Land were ever recorded. The Dark Land may have been part of the Empty Lands that Ilúvatar "cast back" during the Downfall of Númenor.[5]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

The Dark Land is named only in an early map by Tolkien,[1] likely dating to the mid-1930s.[6][7]

Fans have suggested and discussed different theories of inspiration behind the Dark Land:

  • the Dark Land as reminiscent of Lemuria.[8]
  • the Dark Land as perhaps representing a combination of both Australia and Antarctica (because of its geographic position).[9]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Although never fleshed out in much detail, a "dark continent" called Mórenorë is said to be situated south of Middle-earth, separated by the sea of Haragaer.[10] A few glimpses of this remote continent, however, were provided:
  • A black cold-drake, Naikamil, fled from mountains in the south of Endor to Mórenorë after killing her mate.[11]
  • Ungoliant, a monster of the Elder Days, is said to have "settled in the shadowy reaches of Morenórë, the Dark Continent",[note 2] according to tales of the Avari Elves.[12]
  • Ninko Goldmaster, a merchant with a shady past appearing as a non-player character in an adventure setting owned shares in ships travelling to legendary Mórenorë.[13]

In his work Parma Endorion, Michael Martinez coined the term Hyarmenor to refer to the Dark Land.[14]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes

  1. ↑ Confusingly, the former Sea of Ringil was also called the "East Sea" by Tolkien on one early map. See J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Map V".
  2. ↑ Inspired by a passage in The Silmarillion, which says that Ungoliant went "into the forgotten south of the world", after having dwelt at Nan Dungortheb (cf. "Of the Flight of the Noldor").

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Map V"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Of the Fashion of the World", pp. 293-294
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Commentary on the Ambarkanta", p. 305
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "V. The Ambarkanta: Map IV"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part One: II. The Fall of Númenor, (iv) The further development of The Fall of Númenor", p. 32 ("If this region [the Empty Lands] ... is to be related to Ambarkanta Map V it must be what is there called the Burnt Land of the Sun; perhaps also the Dark Land[.]")
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, pp. 9, 108
  7. ↑ Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: II. Reader's Guide, p. 42
  8. ↑ Travis (?Henry), "Re: an objection! (354.18)" dated 8 May 2009, Elfling (accessed 23 September 2022)
  9. ↑ "Dark Land...a continent south of Middle Earth?" at The Lord of the Rings Fanatics Plaza Forum (accessed 20 October 2011)
  10. ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr., Jessica M. Ney-Grimm, Terry K. Amthor (1993), Middle-earth Campaign Guide (#2003), pp. 7, 9
  11. ↑ Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012), p. 102
  12. ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1993), Valar and Maiar (#2006), p. 117
  13. ↑ Peter C. Fenlon, Coleman Charlton, Jessica Ney, John Croudis, Keith Robley, Anders Blixt (1990), Gorgoroth (#3112), p. 117
  14. ↑ Michael Martinez, "Parma Endorion" dated 19 April 2001, Frodu.ru (accessed 16 March 2018)
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