RUSSIAN UNDER-SURFACE CARTOGRAPHY OF THE 17TH-18TH CENTURIES
The article examines the formation of Russian under-surface cartography in the period from the second half of the 17th century to the end of the 18th century, which is based on a discussion of well-known and little-known plans (drawings). The first Russian plans of caves date back to the 17th century. Since the beginning of the XVIII century under-surface cartography has developed in three directions, associated with the registration of mines, the study of natural caves and the “re-registration” of underground architectural structures. The tool and basic techniques for surveying under-surface space were borrowed abroad from the German mining school, which had rich experience in the art of mine surveying. By the end of the 18th century, a Russian mining school with its own traditions was gradually formed, and the cartography of mine workings reached high level. Naturalists, historians, artists, and travelers took part in the study and cartography of natural caves. They did not have the proper experience and the plans they made were amateurish. The first professional surveys of caves date back to the end of the 18th century. They were made by the surveyor A.I. Losev and mountain surveyors. The most famous plans for the underground architectural structures of the Near and Far Caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra were made both with the participation of the inhabitants of the monastery and military topographers.