Handwritten Maps of Siberia and the Far East of 17th - Early 20th Centuries as a Source for Ethnographic Surveys

Abstract

Purpose. Among the handwritten maps of Siberia, the Far East and part of Alaska of the 17^th - beginning of the 20^th centuries, maps containing ethnographic information were found. Two types of such maps were detected. Results. Maps, containing the names of ethnic groups, depicted on them, in their titles, were referred to the first group. Scenes from these ethnic groups’ lives could also be found on such maps. For example, the Map of the northern part of Siberia as far as Yakutsk, Kamchatka and the Asian part of the Bering Strait with images of the Yakuts, Tungus, Koryaks and Kamchadals both on foot and on dogsleds, the Kurils and Chuckchis both on foot and in a boat (created between 1730 and 1753). Maps and atlases on various themes referred to the second group and contain the names of ethnic groups (both Siberian and neighbouring), images of some representatives of the ethnic groups, the items they use and other valuable ethnographic information. General maps of Siberia as well as the maps of its separate administrative and geographical parts were examined. Conclusion. The names and images of ethnic groups such as the Yakuts, Tungus, Samoyeds, Ostyaks, Kirghiz, Tatars and others are most frequently shown on the maps that were studied by the authors. The analysis of the contents of these documents demonstrates that not only maps on the corresponding subjects but maps of various other categories as well can be used for ethnographic research. Information presented on such maps can become a valuable source when studying the territories settled by single ethnic groups, the appearance of the representatives of various ethnic groups and the items they used.