Collection of cartographic documents by Pavel Josef Šafařík
The collection of autographic documents by the philologist Pavel Josef Šafařík, deposited in the Map Collection of Charles University in Prague, contains 88 items from the period 1820–1851. The ethno-linguistic maps and plans, innovative in terms of theme and technique, cover the territories of Europe and Asia in their historical development. Šafařík was the father of the emerging scientific field of ethnography and the founder of thematic ethno-linguistic maps. His completely new cartographic technique influenced scientific practices beyond the borders of Europe. He identified the oldest toponyms in the areas he researched. Šafařík used local toponyms in an innovative way, always in the language of the population living in the depicted territory. Some of his manuscript maps refer to original cartographic documents that have not survived. Šafařík’s worldwide contribution lies in his unique research method of comparative linguistics, history, geography, cartography and toponomastics. His ethnographic, historical, and linguistic maps are entirely innovative. Šafařík’s work is an exceptionally perfect example of the scientific form of the emancipatory efforts of the 19th century.
