Tarih İncelemeleri Dergisi

Abstract

Noord en Oost Tartarye is an important work prepared in the style of a compilation, collection (chrestomathy) published in 1692 and expanded in 1705 by Nicolaas Witsen, one of the most important characters of 17th century Holland, using the scientific methods of the early modern period with reference to printed works, travelogues, manuscripts, cartographic materials, reports and oral sources. The commercial and political identity of Nicolaas Witsen, who served in Russia for a short period of time as a diplomat, motivated him to prepare this detailed and unique study on the geography of Crimea, Caucasus, Idel-Ural, Siberia, Central Asia and the Far East, including the peoples living there. This study focuses on the title of Circassia in Nicolaas Witsen’s Noord en Oost Tartarye. Witsen’s work, which introduced very detailed information on the geographical nomenclature, ethnographic, demographic, cultural and social structure, religious beliefs and daily life in Circassia, is of great importance in terms of determining the academic knowledge of this region at the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century, as well as the perception of the Caucasian people in the West. It’s our belief that this investigation into Nicolaes Witsen, a subject that has received limited attention in academic discourse in Turkey, will catalyze the scrutiny of the contributions made by numerous Dutch and Western scientists and travelers who explored the Caucasus region for varied purposes. Furthermore, we anticipate that this endeavor will make a substantive contribution to the field of Caucasian studies.