The Maya number system and the intricacies of the pre-Columbian calendar were first interpreted for European scholarship by Ernst Förstemann. A multifaceted academic, he transitioned from the study of German linguistics and onomastics to becoming a central figure in deciphering ancient script, leveraging his deep expertise in archival science and historical research.
Early Academic Formation
Born in Gdańsk in 1822 to the mathematician Wilhelm August Förstemann, Ernst Förstemann received his early education at a local grammar school. In 1840, he began his studies in comparative linguistics at the Humboldt University of Berlin, later continuing at the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg. During this period, he was guided by scholars Karl Lachmann, Franz Bopp, and August Friedrich Pott. By 1845, he had completed his Staatsexamen in Berlin and spent several years working as a teacher and private tutor in Gdańsk.
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Förstemann shifted his focus to library science in 1851, joining the Fürst zu Stolberg-Wernigerodesche Bibliothek in Wernigerode. There, he added approximately 20,000 volumes to the collection while maintaining teaching duties. His reputation as a scholar was established through his work in German studies, specifically his two-volume Altdeutsches namenbuch, which cataloged German proper names and place names. In 1865, he relocated to Dresden to assume the role of chief librarian at the Royal Public Library, where he managed large-scale reorganizations and catalogue development until his resignation in 1887.
Contributions to Mayanist Research
While serving at the Royal Public Library, Förstemann gained access to the Dresden Codex, a significant Maya manuscript. His later career was defined by his rigorous efforts to decode this text. In 1894, he successfully deciphered the Maya numbering system and identified their use of zero and complex calendar elements. His work on these manuscripts was detailed in multiple treatises, cementing his status as a pioneer in American studies. Following his retirement in 1899, he moved to Charlottenburg, where he resided until his death in 1906.
Fast facts
- Born: 1822, Gdańsk
- Died: 1906, Charlottenburg
- Key Discovery: Maya numbering and calendar systems
- Academic Mentor: Jacob Grimm
- Major Library Role: Chief Librarian, Royal Public Library, Dresden
- Notable Recognition: Albert Order, 1892
- Burial Site: Luisenfriedhof III
- Primary Field: Historical and linguistic research
Questions readers ask
What was Förstemann's role in the library system?
He served as the chief librarian at the Royal Public Library in Dresden and previously managed the collection at the Fürst zu Stolberg-Wernigerodesche Bibliothek.
How did he contribute to Mayanist research?
He was the first European to interpret the Maya calendar and number system, specifically identifying the use of zero within the Dresden Codex.
