Karst and caves in the works of Alexander von Humboldt

This paper presents a portrayal of how karst phenomena and caves are identified by Alexander von Humboldt. The karst landscape and its caves can be perceived by several people in an equally varied way. From the layman to the scientist, especially caves, assume different meanings according to historical and cultural conditions of a particular society. Therefore, we one can say that the human relationship with caves is not really new in the history of mankind. It is also not less new the motivation for their use as shelters, safe houses and sacred places. Thus, caves and karst are important historical and geographic records of specific regions. In this context arises the name of Alexander von Humboldt, German naturalist known for being responsible for outstanding scientific contributions in several areas of the so-called Earth Sciences, including an incipient and non-formal Karstology. Thus, this paper gives a general overview of how the descriptions of karst phenomena, as well its anthropogenic use were made in his texts.