SOIL AS A MUSEUM EXHIBIT IN RUSSIA

Transcription

1 SOIL AS A MUSEUM EXHIBIT IN RUSSIA Ivan P. Vtorov Russian soil first became a museum exhibit as part of mineral collections; then it came to be found in study collections. In the second half of the 19th century, soil research was supported by Russian scientific societies and local governments in European Russia. This helped to organize soil expositions, and soil began to be seen in natural history museums. Soil also became an important exhibit at Russian agricultural exhibitions and World Fairs. The opening of the first formally recognized Soil Museum became possible only after global recognition of the Soil Science. Soil studies were always important for many natural sciences. Geological methods became useful for soil research and played one of the most important role in the origin of modern Soil Science (Vtorov, 2014, Landa & Brevik, 2015). Soil samples became collectible objects in Russia the same way as minerals, rocks and fossils. Most of them comes to museums from expeditions organized by the Academy of Sciences and Arts in Saint Petersburg (est. 1724). Scholars sent soil samples from the distant parts of Russian empire to the first Russian Natural Science Museum Kunstkamera or Cabinet of Curiosities (est. 1714). Wide variety of clay, silt, colored earth, sand other soils examined with minerals by academician and polymath Mikhail Lomonosov ( ). He made first catalog of the Mineral Cabinet, described and classified earths, loams and soils as a collection (Lomonosov, 1745). His most important work with soil information is On the Strata of the Earth, recently translated (Lomonosov, 1763). He uses the term chernozem, which literally means black earth, thus introducing this Russian folk term into science. This broad meaning is important for the early history of study this fertile soil in compare to the modern understanding (Yarilov, 1912). Lomonosov recognized variation of soils in color, composition, even smell and taste. Some chemical analyses led him to divide soil into several categories. Academician Vladimir Vernadsky ( ) considered Lomonosov not only as the first Russian soil scientist, but the very first one (Vernadsky, 1901) (Fig. 1). Soil study became important for educational needs in mineralogy and agronomy. In 1763, Lomonosov opened first Class of Agriculture at the Academy of Sciences and Arts in Saint Petersburg. Then, the Department of Natural History and Agriculture of the Imperial Moscow University (est. 1755). Matvey Afonin ( ) the first Russian professor of natural history and agronomy, made it in He studied from Carl Linnaeus and Johan Wallerius agriculture and mining in Uppsala University ( ). Afonin made first Mineral Catalog of the Moscow University and include soil description (Shevyrev, 1855). According to Lomonosov ideas, he classified black soils in to 8 groups such as: soil, mud, mold, muck and other dirt. Afonin first in Russia proposed to organize special soil collections in museums. He wrote, I find it useful to offer that is not only different species called black earth, but also the other genera of the soil and the collection should be positioned as mineralogists made in the collection and arrangement in the Mineral Cabinet. That means to arrange them to the genera and species, and these should not only be stored with a note of their properties, the names and order of counties and villages, but most of the field from which such soil will be taken and in what way or manner in arable land it is used. (Afonin, 1771). 237

2 Academician Vasily Severgin ( ), continuator of the Lomonosov ideas in mineralogy, described and collected soil samples along with minerals during his expeditions to the western Russia ( ), and include it to the first Russian geological nomenclature (Severgin, 1807). He applied mineralogical methods to the soil study, and classify collections in mineralogical cabinets in the Academy of Sciences and in the Free Economic Society (Fig. 2). Russian scientific societies played an important role to support soil studies. In 1765, the year when Lomonosov passed away and Severgin born, large landowners established the first Russian natural society The Free Economic Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture and Husbandry. It worked under Imperial patronage until 1915, and made great help to soil and agronomy studies. Russian followers of the Pedology ideas of Friedrich Fallou ( ) accepted only geological side in soil study, until the Free Economic Society raised the most important question for agrarian country about Russian chernozem origin and real distribution. Since 1872, Vasily Dokuchaev ( ) worked as a curator of the Geological Cabinet in the Imperial Saint Petersburg University (est. 1821). In 1877, he presented large collection of Russian Chernozem soils at the Free Economic Society general meeting. The Society appointed him to study this soil type across European Russia (Dokoutchaief, 1879). Wide and long-term exploration led him to the discovery of soil as a special distinct natural body that has developed because of combine action of several soil formation factors (Dokuchaev, 1883). His report in the book Russian Chernozem made him the founder of the modern soil science, and was specially awarded by the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences. Dokuchaev with his students collected varieties of soils and proposed to establish specific museum for them. In 1879, during the 6 th Congress of Russian Natural Scientists and Physicians in St. Petersburg, they made first attempt to create world s first Soil Museum. The idea accepted by the Congress, the proposal also signed by professors of geology Alexander Inostrancev ( ) and Alexander Karpinsky ( ). However, the offer declined by Russian Ministry of Agriculture and State Property (Dokuchaev, Inostrancev et al., 1880). Some independent County Councils or Zemstvo (est. 1864) and individual landowners supported Dokuchaev research in Nizhny Novgorod ( ), Poltava ( ) and other provinces, while he still was the University professor. In 1885, he opened Russia's first provincial Natural History Museum in Nizhny Novgorod city (Dokuchaev, 1885). Permanent exhibition included soil profiles collection and soil samples as a reference for the identification and taxation. Dokuchaev s most prominent student and soil scientist Nikolay Sibirtzev ( ) became first head of the museum. He published 119 pages geological and soil catalog (Sibirtzev, 1887). In 1891, new Natural History Museum in Poltava organized the same way (Fig. 3). Exhibitions was the alternative way to show soil collection and introduce soil science to the Russian public and officials. In 1887, Dokuchaev exhibited a Nizhny Novgorod soil collection at the Russian National Agricultural Exhibition 238

3 in Kharkov. Soils as an economical object also displayed at the All-Russian Exhibition in Moscow (1895) and in Nizhny Novgorod (1896). Dokuchaev received First Diploma award for the Soil exposition in Nizhny Novgorod with caption: For his fruitful activity in the Russian soil study and for creation of a new direction in the field of soil science and a school students-followers. In 1889, Russian soil science first time demonstrate its current state of the art at the World s Fair Exposition Universelle in Paris. Vernadsky prepared this soil exhibition from Paris, and Dokuchaev personally visit it in June. During month trip, he also saw museums and scientists in Berlin, Zurich and Vienna. He introduced soil collection, demonstrated its first classification, zonal distribution, maps and papers. The most memorable was cubic monolith (about 9.71 cubic meters in volume) of real chernozem soil from Voronezh province, as Russian agricultural treasure. Exposition of the Russian soil department awarded the Gold medal, and Dokuchaev personally received the Order of Chevalier de mérite agricole as author of collection (Mond, 1890, Shpakov, 2008). In 1893, Russian soils set swam across the Atlantic and exhibited at the Chicago World's Fair Columbian Exposition. Seven monolith profiles of the major soil types arranged on a geographical basis. Exhibition include 139 soil and subsoil samples, 12 maps, tables, and 74 papers with special report and catalog printed in English (Dokuchaev, Sibirtzev, 1893). In 1900, during next Paris Exposition Universelle Russian soil scientists organized by, another Dokuchaev student, Pavel Otocky ( ) won Grand prix. For the first time Dokuchaev demonstrate vertical soil zones from the Caucasus, and was awarded. The 6 sheets Soil map of European Russia, with legend made from real soil samples, received the Gold medal. Soil was still part of geology on the 7 th Session of the International Geological Congress in St. Petersburg, Sibirtzev presented new soil classification, and exhibition of Dokuchaev works and soil collections at the University (Sibirtzev, 1899). Dokuchaev identified soil as an independent object of study with synthesis of geological, geographical, biological, chemical, physical, and agronomy data. Complex soil study should have special institution with laboratory and museum. In 1887, Dokuchaev made new attempt to create a Soil museum, now as part of Soil institute or a Soil Committee. He received support and approval from the newly established (1882) Geological Committee (Dokuchaev, 1887). They addressed a note to the Russian Ministry of State Property. It took 4 years of discussion with Scientific Committee of the Ministry. Soil science still considered by the government just as part of geology, so they declined proposal. In 1888, the Free Economic Society help Dokuchaev again and accept his project to establish the Soil Commission (Dokuchaev, 1889). He included small soil exposition to the program, and soon open an exhibition of Chernozem samples collected by Alexander Izmailsky ( ) from Poltava province, to demonstrate how its unique structure made by grass roots. The Free Economic Society designed new building, for its 125 th anniversary in Dokuchaev planned there several rooms for the Soil museum and laboratory. Unfortunately, the house never build (Fig. 4). 239

4 Dokuchaev also work hard as the Secretary ( ) of the Saint Petersburg Society of Naturalists (est. 1868). In , he was one of the organizers and leaders of the 8 th Congress of Russian Natural Scientists and Physicians a major scientific forum. He emphasized the necessity of creating a soil institute and museum. This effort also remain unsuccessful, despite the Society support and achievements made by Russian soil science school (Dokuchaev, 1890, 1891). Dokuchaev discover zonality of soil, include vertical one in mountains. So, he needed museum with enough space to show soil classification, features and distribution. Dokuchaev was ahead of his time and tried to use museums for increase public interest to the new science, which long time was not generally recognized. In 1904, a year after his death and in his memory, Otocky and other Dokuchaev followers opened 130 sq. m. world s first Soil museum in the old Free Economic Society building. Later, when the first International Congress of Soil Science (Washington DC, 1927) approved a new science, Academy of Sciences of the USSR created the Soil Institute named after Dokuchaev with 1000 sq. m. museum. During Dokuchaev centennial anniversary (1946), the Museum renamed to the Dokuchaev Central Museum of Soil Science. We followed 182 years way of the soil from curious thing, through educational collection to the profile monolith exhibit. As exhibit it helps converted soil science to a discipline with own field of study. Since then, universities, academic and agronomy institutions manage soil museums. Among them, two in Moscow: Vasily Williams Museum of Soil and Agronomy in Russian State Agricultural University (est. 1934) and The Earth Science Museum (opened in 1955) in the central building of the modern high-rise building of Moscow State University (24-28 and floors). Old and classic soil profiles demonstrate history of soil science and rightful place for the soil as a museum exhibit. References AFONIN, M.I The words about the benefits of knowing the location and collecting black earth, especially in arable farming: Speech read in a state meeting of the Moscow University on April 22, Consolidated catalogue of Russian books of the XVIII century T. 1. Moscow. Lenin State Library of the USSR. 1962: 68. [In Russian] DOKOUTCHAIEF, B Tchernozème (terre noire) de la Russie d'europe: 66. St. Petersburg. Soc. imp. Libreéconom. DOKUCHAEV, V.V Russian Chernozem. Report to the Free Economic Society: [4], IV, IV, 376. St. Petersburg. Dekleron and Evdokimov. [In Russian; Translated in 1967 by N. Kaner: Israel Program for Scientific Translations Ltd. (for USDA-NSF), S. Monson. Jerusalem.] DOKUCHAEV, V.V The plan of the provincial Zemsky Natural History Museum. In: Proc. St. Petersburg Natural history Society. 16 (2): [In Russian] DOKUCHAEV, V.V The question of the establishment Soil Committee in St. Petersburg. In: Reports Geol. Com. 6: DOKUCHAEV, V.V The project objectives and program of activities of the permanent Soil Commission established in the Free Economic Society, and magazines next 6 meetings of the Commission (29 Apr March 1889). In: Proc. Free Economic Society. 3 (3): [In Russian] DOKUCHAEV, V.V The main recent time results of soil studies in Russia. In: 8 th Congress of Russian Natural Scientists and Physicians. 9: St. Petersburg. Congress. [In Russian] DOKUCHAEV, V.V The explanatory note to the Soil Committee project: 40. St. Petersburg. Kirschbaum. [In Russian] DOKUCHAEV, V.V. Inostrancev A.A. et al The proposal to open Soil Museum in St. Petersburg. In: Speeches and protocols and Congress of Russian Naturalists and Doctors: 90 92; Pt 1. St. Petersburg. Imp. Academy of Sciences. [In Russian] DOKUCHAEV, V.V. SIBIRTZEV, N.M Short scientific review of professor Dockuchaev s and his pupil s collection of soils, exposed in Chicago in the year 1893:40. St. Petersburg. Evdokimov. [In Russian] LANDA, E.R. BREVIK, E.C Soil science and its interface with the history of geology community. Earth sciences history. 34(2):

5 LOMONOSOV, M.V Catalogus minerarum. Museiimperialis Petropolitani. Vol. 1. Pars tertia, qua continentur res naturals ex regnominerali. Petropoli. S.n. [In Latin]; Ibid M.V. Lomonosov Complete Works.5:7 69. Moscow; Leningrad. USSR Acad. Sci. [In Latinand Russian] LOMONOSOV, M.V On the strata of the Earth: a translation of O sloiakh zemnykh : 41. Boulder: Geological Soc. of America. (GSA Special paper; 485) [Translation from Russian to English ]; Vtorov, I.P [Review to English translation]. The History of Earth Sciences Society. 33 (2): MONOD, E La Section Russie. In: Exposition universelle de 1889: (Paris, France). 3: Paris. Dentu. SEVERGIN, V.M Detailed mineralogical Dictionary, containing the details of all the exposition of mineralogy common words and names, and all science perpetrated this latest discovery. In 2 vol.:1: 668; 2: 532. St. Petersburg. Imp. Academy of Sciences. [In Russian] SHEVYREV, S.P History of the Imperial Moscow University, written for his centennial anniversary, : 600. Moscow. Moscow University. [In Russian] SHPAKOV, V.N The exhibition on the centenary of the French Revolution, Paris, In: History of the World Exhibition: Moscow: AST Zebra. [In Russian] SIBIRTZEV, N.M Catalog of the Natural History Museum of Nizhny Novgorod province with comments: Geology and soil: 119. Nizhny Novgorod: Nizhny Novgorod Agricultural Museum. [In Russian] SIBIRTZEV, N.M Étude des sols de la Russie. Compte rendu: Congrès géologique international, 7-me session, Russie, 1897: St. Pétersbourg: M. Stassuléwitsch. VERNADSKY, V.I The significance of the works of M.V. Lomonosov in mineralogy and geology: [2] 34. Moscow: Mamontov. [In Russian] VTOROV, I.P The role of geology in the development of soil science: from Lomonosov to Dokuchaev. In: 39 th INHIGEO Symposium: 6. Asilomar, GSA. YARILOV, A.A Lomonosov s Chernozem. In: Experienced Agronomist Magazine. 13: [In Russian]. PÔDA AKO MUZEÁLNY EXPONÁT V RUSKU Abstrakt Ruská pôda sa prvýkrát stala muzeálnym exponátom ako súčasť mineralogických zbierok a neskôr sa tiež objavila aj v študijných zbierkach. V druhej polovici 19. storočia bol výskum pôd podporovaný ruskými vedeckými spoločnosťami a miestnymi samosprávami v európskej časti Ruska. Toto pomohlo zorganizovať výstavy pôd a pôda sa začala objavovať v prírodovedných múzeách. Pôda sa tiež stala dôležitým exponátom na ruských poľnohospodárskych výstavách a svetových veľtrhoch. Otvoriť prvé formálne uznané Múzeum pôdy bolo možné až potom ako sa veda o pôde stala všeobecne uznanou vedeckou disciplínou. Author Vtorov Ivan P., Dr. Department for the History of Geology Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences7, Pyzhevsky lane Moscow Russia/Ruská federácia vip@ginras.ru. Figures/Obrázky Fig. 1: Academician Mikhail Lomonosov. Lifetime engraving by C. Wortmann & E. Fessard, Obr. 1: Akademik Michail Lomonosov. Rytina, ktorá bola celoživotnou prácou autorov C. Wortmann a E. Fessard, Fig. 2: Academician Vasily Severgin. Unknown engraving, mid. 19 th century. Obr. 2: Akademik Vasilij Severgin. Rytina od neznámeho autora, polovica 19. stor. Fig. 3. Professor Vasily Dokuchaev. St. Petersburg. Photo, Obr. 3: Profesor Vasilij Dokučajev. Petrohrad. Fotografia z roku Fig. 4. Soil profile monoliths. The Earth Science Museum, Moscow State University, Obr. 4: Monolity pôdnych profilov. Múzeum vied o Zemi, Moskovská štátna univerzita,