Charles-Etienne Brasseur de Bourbourg French historian, linguist, ethnographer Date of Birth: 08.09.1814 Country: France

1. Early Life and Education
2. Ecclesiastical Career and Intellectual Pursuits
3. Journey to the New World
4. Exploration of Mesoamerica
5. Decipherment of Mayan Hieroglyphs
6. The Influence of Atlantis
7. Legacy

Charles Étienne Brasseur de Bourbourg: A Pioneering Scholar of Mesoamerica

Early Life and Education

Charles Étienne Brasseur de Bourbourg was born in Bourbourg, France, in the early 19th century. As a young man, he moved to Belgium to pursue studies in theology and philosophy at the University of Ghent.

Ecclesiastical Career and Intellectual Pursuits

Brasseur de Bourbourg was ordained as a priest in Rome in 1845. His scholarly interests initially focused on biblical history, particularly the history of Jerusalem. However, he was also drawn to literature, though his novel "Le Séraphion" faced criticism for plagiarism.

Journey to the New World

In 1845, Brasseur de Bourbourg traveled to Quebec, Canada, where he briefly served as a professor of church history at the Quebec Seminary. It was during this time that he became fascinated with the history of the Quebec diocese and the figure of François de Laval, its first bishop.

Exploration of Mesoamerica

From 1848 to 1863, Brasseur de Bourbourg embarked on a series of missionary travels throughout Mexico and Central America. These journeys yielded a wealth of field data on pre-Columbian indigenous civilizations, leading to his publication of a major monograph on the history of the Aztecs (1857-1859).

Decipherment of Mayan Hieroglyphs

During his time in Guatemala, Brasseur de Bourbourg discovered Diego de Landa's "Relación de las Cosas de Yucatán" in the archives of the Royal Historical Academy in Madrid. This manuscript contained invaluable information on Mayan history, language, and writing system. Brasseur de Bourbourg published a bilingual edition of the manuscript in 1864, but his attempt to decipher Mayan hieroglyphics using "Landa's alphabet" proved unsuccessful.

The Influence of Atlantis

Brasseur de Bourbourg became increasingly influenced by occult theories, believing that Mayan civilization originated in Atlantis. He argued that the languages of Europe and Mexico had a common origin in indigenous languages. His views received some support from the publication of Jean-Frédéric Waldeck's "Monuments anciens du Mexique," which featured engravings of Mayan monuments that resembled ancient Egyptian and Greek art.

Legacy

Brasseur de Bourbourg's contributions to Mesoamerican studies laid the foundation for scientific Mayanism. Despite his adherence to certain discredited theories, his work inspired generations of scholars and helped to broaden the understanding of pre-Columbian civilizations. He remains a significant figure in the history of anthropology and linguistics.