Before the invention of the telescope, representations of the moon were based entirely on the naked eye observations and artistic interpretations at the time. Early drawings and depictions often reflected cultural and mythological understandings rather than scientific accuracy. Ancient depictions can be found dating back to Mesopotamian cylinder seals and similar artifacts, although these are more symbolic than realistic.
The moon was commonly portrayed with human-like features in various cultures, depicting the “Man in the Moon” which stemmed from the visible darker patches on the lunar surface, known as maria, with people interpreting them as eyes and a mouth. In art and mythology, the moon often took on anthropomorphic forms or was personified as a deity, such as in Roman mythology where the moon goddess was Luna, or Selene in Greek mythology.
Without the detailed aid of telescopic lenses, these drawings lacked the details of craters, mountains, and other surface features that are now commonly associated with the moon’s appearance. The focus was more on its phases and changing positions rather than intricate surface characteristics. This changed dramatically after the early 17th century following Galileo’s usage of the telescope, which allowed a clearer and more detailed understanding of the moon’s diverse and rugged terrain.