Physical earth and its sciences in Istanbul: a journey from pre-modern (Islamic) to modern times

Abstract

Abstract. Researching, compiling and analysing geophysical ideas and measurements in historical periods will contribute to the historical development of earth science. Also, this is important for geophysicists working on time-dependent (historical) data and revealing the physical properties of the earth. This paper is focused on the earth and its sciences (with concepts, ideas and measurements) in classical Islamic science in the Ottoman Empire and the evolution of these thoughts and concepts in the context of the transition to modern science. The pre-modern period of science in Islamic geographies is represented by Aristotelian science and some original contributions. In the geophysical sciences of the Ottoman Empire, earthquakes and weather events are explained by his views and ideas. Modern concepts and scientific measurements of geophysical events such as magnetic, seismologic and meteorologic events were systematically begun by observatories. Before this, there are some individual measurements.

Digitizing Ottoman daily weather observations of Halkali Agricultural School in Istanbul, Turkiye (1896–1917)

“…These observations were published in the school's own journal, Halkali Ziraat Mektebi Alisi Mecmuasi , aiming to publish the observation charts. Some weather observations recorded were published in issues 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 of the journal (Ozcep, 2020). These observations were also recorded in the daily weather reports (Figure 4), and over 20 years of observations were compiled in three different observation books (1‐month observation per page).…”

“…Due to a destructive fire, Kandilli Observatory had to end its meteorological studies in 1911 when the observatory was re‐established in Icadiye (8 km from Pera where the observatory was first established) to continue its works (till 1936) on meteorology with the assistance of the French National Meteorology Director, Prof. Angot, who provided the necessary meteorological instruments. In addition, the weather forecasts for Istanbul were made available and reported to the Administration of Postal Telephone and Telegraph and the Railways Administration (Batur, 2005; BOUN, 2022; Dizer, 1994; Ozcep, 2020; TSMS, 2022).…”

“…These observations were also processed daily on synoptic maps. In the second half of the 19th century, observations were made in Istanbul, Soulina, Constanta, Varna, Burgas, Trabzon, Rhodes, Kavala, Thessaloniki, Monastery, Valona, Çanakkale, Elbassan, Durazzo, Beirut and Fao, and it is noticed that these places were the regions where trade and ports were located (BOUN, 2022; Dizer, 1994; Ozcep, 2020; TSMS, 2022). Although there is a quite good meteorological history of the Ottoman period, it was not possible to access these observations.…”