Errata in The Atlas of Middle-Earth
For a person whose mind is very spatially oriented, The Atlas of Middle-Earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad is a critical resource for comprehending J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. However, there are slight errors in my version that I will document for other readers. I am using the most widely accessible version of this book, which is the 2001 paperback reprint of the revised edition (ISBN-13: 9780618126996).
The Dwarven Cities of the Blue Mountains
The locations of Belegost and Nogrod are switched in the map of Beleriand.
On page 13 of The Atlas of Middle Earth, the map of Beleriand has the Dwarven cities of in the Ered Luin mountain range incorrectly placed. Belegost should be the northern city, and Nogrod should be the southern city.
In Chapter 10 of The Silmarillian, “Of the Sindar”, Tolkien writes “To the north of the great height of Mount Dolmed was Gabilgathol, which the Elves interpreted in their tongue Belegost, that is Mickleburg; and southward was delved Tumunzahar, by the Elves named Nogrod, the Hollowbold.”. The geographic relationship between Belegost and Nogrod is quite clear here.
The Path of the House of Marach
Correct path of the House of Marach in the Coming of Men Into the West
On page 24 of The Atlas of Middle Earth, the map “Coming of Men into the West” has the incorrect path for the third house of the Edain, Marach’s people. The map has the House of Marach (the dark brown line) going south of Dorthonion, like the Haladin (the medium brown line).
In Chapter 17 of The Silmarillian, “Of the Coming of Men into the West”, Tolkien writes “The people of Aradan (for Marach his father remained in Estolad unil his death) for the most part went on westward; and some came to Hithlum, but Magor son of Aradan and many of the people passed down Sirion into Beleriand and dwelt a while in the vales of the southern slopes of the Ered Withrin.”
The key is that Magor “passed down Sirion into Beleriand”. In Chapter 14 of The Silmarillian, “Of Beleriand and Its Realms”, Tolkien writes that the River Sirion flows through the vale between Dorthonion and the Shadowy Mountains “hastening towards Beleriand”. This makes it clear that the 3rd House of Marach traveled north on the east side of Dorthonion, like Bëor’s House. However, rather than settling in Dorthonion like Bëor’s people, Marach’s House travelled west, where some entered Hithlum, and some (with Magor) went south through the Fen of Serech back into Beleriand.
These are the errata I have noticed reading up to Chapter 21 of The Silmarillion. Hopefully there are none further.