Part of Geological investigation into the characteristics of the rock formations and ground water.Water supply and infrastructure requires prior investigation before construction work can commence.Very small glass tubes (about 30) with cork toppers. Each tube is labelled. Resting on wool in a cardboard box with a lid. Stored in an old thick cardboard box with a very faint 'Harrietville ... Samples' on its lid.On the tubes - place and number "Harrietville / samples"geological samples, harrietville water

Coorongite is a dark, rubber-like, highly resilient structureless algal deposit. In the Coorong district of South Australia it occurs in moderate quantities associated with the coastal swamps and sand dunes which extend for a considerable distance east of the mouth of the Murray. This particular specimen was recovered from the south of the Coorong River, South Australia. A type of sediment rich in organic matter, Coorongite is the unlithified end-member of the sapropelic coal series. The members of the sapropelic coal series can be ranked in order as sapropel (the unlithified form), sapropelic-lignite, and sapropelic-coal (the lithified forms) based on increasing carbon content and decreasing volatile content. Sapropel (Coorongite) is an unlithified dark, pulpy, fine organic mud containing concentrations of algae and miospores that are more or less identifiable. Coorongite is typically found as an algae like substance, that can be found in irregular size pieces. Coorongite was believed to be dried up oil due to its rubber-like texture. The Coorongite is also soft to the point where it can be cut into with a knife or it can be broken and torn by hand. Otherwise known as 'Kurangk', the Coorong River is home to the Ngarrindjeri people, which acts as both a place for gathering food and a spiritual place. In 1852 the first sight of Coorongite was found along the Coorong River. The finders mistook the Coorongite for dried up oil, which lead to the belief that there were oil reserves under the Coorong River. Between the 1860s and the 1930s the Coorong River became a place where mining oil and Coorongite became precedent. Nowadays, the local council and the South Australian Government are working together with the Ngarrindjeri people to sustain and preserve the Coorong River and the culture that is with it. Soon after gold was discovered in 1851, Victoria’s Governor La Trobe wrote to the Colonial Office in London, urging ‘the propriety of selecting and appointing as Mineral Surveyor for this Colony a gentleman possessed of the requisite qualifications and acquaintance with geological science and phenomena’. Alfred Selwyn was appointed geological surveyor in Australia in 1852 which began the Geological Survey of Victoria. Selwyn went on to collect geological samples and catalogue thousands of specimens around Australia. In 1853-69 the Geological Survey issued under Selwyn's direction sixty-one geological maps and numerous reports; they were of such high standard that a writer in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London bracketed the survey with that of the United States of America as the best in the world. During his years spent in Australia, Selwyn collected numerous significant geological specimens, examples of which are held in collections such as the Burke Museum.Coorongite is considered to be a mineral with a unique texture, where it can be both hard and soft. Coorongite can also be considered to be a rare mineral, as it is only located along the Coorong River and due to the mining of it, has left very few sources. It was believed at one point that Coorongite could be used to replace oil. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.Three solid varyingly hand-sized pieces of wooden appearing organic matter derived from the river in the Coorong District in South Australia. A rubber-like, highly resilient structureless algal deposit.Specimen 245 page 69 / in Descriptive Register / "Elcestic Bitumen, / Coorangite" South of / Coorung River, South Australia . / C. WIllman / 15/4/21burke museum, beechwoth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineraology, coorong, coorong river, kurangk, ngarrindjeri, south australia, coorongite, coorongite specimen

Gabo Island sits off the coast of East Gippsland in Victoria, with cliffs of granite in a relatively unique red/pink colour. Early attempts to build a lighthouse on the island were abandoned due to poor foundations, but when a ship ran aground on the nearby Tullaberga Island in 1853 and led to the death of 37 people, efforts were reignited. Construction of a new lighthouse was completed by 1858, using Gabo Island granite. The lighthouse is Australia's second tallest in Australia and continues to play an important role in guiding boats around the coast as they journey between Melbourne and Sydney. The distinct pink colour from the granite means the lighthouse continues to be a defining feature of the island. Gabo Island granite was also used to construct the Treasury Building at 117 Macquarie Street in Sydney, now the Intercontinental Hotel.Granite in the pink colour of this specimen is relatively rare. The connection to the lighthouse on Gabo Island also gives the specimen historic significance and social significance regarding the maritime history of Victoria. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid palm-sized mineral, coloured by flecks of pink, red, and grey. Granite is formed by the slow crystallisation of magma below the earth's surface. It is typically composed of a mix of quartz, feldspar, and other minerals, though syenitic granite like this sample has a smaller amount of quartz than typical granite. This different mineral composition leads to the more distinct pink and red colouring.First sticker: [torn]logical survey / R........ S........ / Loc Gabo Island / 1/4 Sheet / Second Sticker: 15 Third Sticker: Syenitic Graniteburke museum, beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineralogy, gabo island, gabo island lighthouse, lighthouse, granite, coast, coastal, granite specimen, victoria, coastal cliffs

This specimen was recovered from Wonthaggi in Victoria. Coal is a sedimentary rock which is composed of peat after it has been exposed over millions of years. This is an example of Australian black coal which is used as either thermal or coking coal for electricity generation or manufacturing processes. It is predominantly composed of Carbon which is 'C' on the periodic table of elements. This early example of a coal sample, shows the important role that coal played/plays in Australia's energy generation and manufacturing processes. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.Small piece of black coal with museum original labelGeological survey / R..... S...../ Locality Cape Patterson coal specimen, burke museum, geological survey of victoria, geological specimen, geology

This specimen is from Broken Hill, NSW. Galena is a natural mineral form of lead sulphide and is often found associated with sphalerite, calcite, and fluorite. Galena is an important lead ore mineral, and, in some regions, it is also an important mineral associated with silver ore. Sphalerite is a sulphide mineral that is the main ore of zinc. Rhodonite is an uncommon mineral once used as an ore of manganese in India, however today the scarcity and fragility of the crystals mean it is primarily used as lapidary materials or mineral specimens. In 1883, Charles Rasp who was a boundary rider at the time, discovered what he thought were deposits of tin but were in fact samples of silver and lead. He and six others went on to set up the first mining company in Broken Hill (BHP). The ore body became the largest and richest of its kind in the world mining ore worth more than 42,000 pounds in its first year. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. Galena contains lead and silver, Sphalerite contains zinc. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A hand-sized piece of Sphalerite and Galena with Rhodonite crystalsburke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, galena, rhodonite, sphalerite, silver ore, manganese, lead sulphide, lead ore, zinc ore, lapidary, mineral specimen, broken hill, nsw

This specimen was recovered from Sedgwick, VIC. Spotted slate is a fine-grained porphyroblastic metamorphic rock with a number of compounds including muscovite, quartz, graphite with cordierite poikiloblasts and more. The cordierite poikiloblasts are rounded crystals that size up to 2.5 mm. the growth of these crystals is in response to metamorphism of low to medium intensity. The town Sedgwick was named after British geologist Adam Sedgwick This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid rectangular hand-sized spotted slate specimen in a shade of light grey with darker flecks throughout Spotted Slate / Locality: Sedgwick Victoria | This is an early specimen / from the Quarter sheet / map. See sample 62 / page 18. Described as 'Spotted Slate' but these / days we would call it spotted hornfels / C. William 15/4/21 slate, spotted slate, victoria, beechworth, burke museum, geological specimen, mineralogy, sedgwick, sedgwick victoria, spotted slate specimen

Montmorillonite is a type of clay composed of aluminium silicate that forms very small particles that are not well-bonded to one another. This is why it is so soft. When in the presence of water, all types of clay swell. Montmorillonite swells even more than most types of clay, which is why it is often chosen over other types of clay in its practical uses. Montmorillonite has many different practical uses, including in the mining industry, as a soil additive, as a sealant, as a desiccant to draw water out of the air, to clean ponds, to make kitty litter and in cosmetics. Montmorillonite is a common mineral and, despite being named after Montmorillon, France, can be found all over the world, including many deposits in Australia. It is not known where this particular specimen originates from. Montmorillonite is an economically and socially significant material with a wide variety of uses. Having samples of common and important minerals allows collections, like the Burke Museum, to have a more complete view of the land on which they are located, and therefore a more complete view of heritage. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid tennis-ball sized chunk of aluminium silicate clay. It is primarily white, accented with orange and brown.burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, clay, montmorillonite

Very good samples from the Ballarat School of Mines.Three geological Specimens, with some breakaways.rocks, geology, galena crystal form, browken hill

Section of core sample taken from Eastland Stage 5 Nov 2014 - Donated by Terry Ahern, obtained through Probuild building contractorsSection of core sample taken from Eastland Stage 5 November 2014 +Additional Keywords: Eastland / Ahern, Terry / Probuild

^ plastic cylindrical containers housing five different samples of sandsand, geology

The book was used by Charles Bacon who studied at the University of Nevada in the late 1930s/early 1940s. Bacon worked at Bunker Hill Mines and Kellogg Idaho, before arriving in Australian in 1951. He worked for CN Myers, a company involved with paper converting. CN Myers was a family business (on Charles Bacon's maternal line). Robert Peele was Professor Emeritus of mining Engineering at the School of Mines, Columbia University.Maroon hardcovered books. .1) Volume 1 - Chapters include Mineralogy, Geology and Mineral Deposits, Earth Excavation, Explosives, Rock Excavation, Tunneling, Shaft Sinking in Rock, Shaft sinking in Unstable and Waterbearing Ground, Boring, Underground Transport, Mine Ventilation. .2) Volume 2 - Chapers include Compressed Air Practice, Electric Power for mine Service, Surveying,Underground Surveying, Mine Geologic Maps and models, Cost of mining, Mining Laws, Ore sampling, Assaying, Aerial Tramways and Cableways, Gold Amalgamation and Cyanidation, etc.Inside front cover "Charles Bacon"charles bacon, mining engineering, mining, engineering, university of nevada, mackay school of mines, explosives, timbering

The Ballarat School of Mines was Australia's first School of Mines, which was established in 1870.Large letter book with rough calf spine and corners, green fabric cover, green marbled end papers, and leather spine labels. Sample letters are shown below Melbourne July 20/77 My Dear Maskelyne, The object of this note is to introduce Mr Barnard the Registrar of the School of Mines at Ballarat to you, and to your Department at the museum as a Correspondent. I presume you still collect specimens all over the world, and from time to time exchange with other museums. The Ballarat School of Mines is subsidized by the State, and is not unlikely to become our chief mining school if indeed it is not that already. As it is in the midst of an interesting geological district it may now and again be able to contribute something rare and valuable even to the British Museum, and on the other hand what is valueless to you may be of greatest use to us. You may place implicit confidence in Mr Barnard who has been connected with the School for years, and is an enthusiast in Scientific matters. Very Truly Yours Charles H. Pearson. P.E. Day Esq M.A. London My dear Sir I have the pleasure to inform you that I have this day written to Professor Maskelyns of the British Museum asking his help in the way suggested by Professor Pearson in a not of introduction with which he has favoured me, and copy of which is now enclosed. May I beg you to be so good as to call on Professor Machelyne make arrangement for the shipment of any case or cases of specimens which the may be able and willing to present to the School. Need I add that your prompt attention to this matter will be much esteemed by Yours faithfully W.H. Barnard Registrar Pro tem ballarat school of mines, correspondence, w.h. barnard, barnard

Henry Louis, M.A. was an Associate of the Royal School of miens, Fellow of the Geological Society; Fellow of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britain; Member of the Institution of Mining Engineers; Member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and Professor of Mining in the Durham College of Science. Green hardcovered book of 599 pages including index and illustrations. Contents include: Mode of occurance of gold; physical and chemical properties of gold; physical and chemical properties of mercury; Primitive Methods or ore-breaking; The stamp; Hoisting gear; Water Supply; Ore-Feeders; Crushing Machinery; amalgamation; concentration; Spitzkasten; Amalgam; Milling; Cam Curve; sampling and assaying; horse-power developed by fall of water; value of gold according to its fineness; conversionInside front cover in pencil "Rhys Brook"

The Ballarat School of Mines had a 'Model Mine' that was used to teach students. Practical work was undertaken for a fee, supervised by laboratory superintendents. Copies of assays undertaken are compiled together in this book. Leatherbound ledger with transfer copies assay reports from the Ballarat School of Mines. Those seeking assaying work from the Ballarat School of Mines are listed in alphabetical order in the front of the ledger. The ledger contains 543 pages. .2) Foolscap assay report on foolscap Ballarat School of Mines letterhead, and signed by Alfred Mica Smith, Superintendent of Laboratories. The report was on eight samples of Quartz submitted by R.C. Morgan, Scotts, Hotel, Melbourne .3) Assay report on Ballarat School of Mines letterhead, dated 14 August 1985, and signed by Andrew Berry, Registrar. The assay was supervised by Professor Alfred Mica Smith, and undertaken for James Burke, Broken Hill, New South Wales. .4) Assay report on Ballarat School of Mines letterhead, dated 18 August 1988, and signed by Alfred Mica Smith, Superintendent of Laboratories. The assay was undertaken on samples of Limonite submitted by James Burke and others, Broken Hill, New South Wales. The report includes information the the Ballarat School of Mines museum and the search for geological specimens from all Australian colonies for the collection. .5) A 'rough' assay report on samples of stone submitted by H. Major Senr, Wilcannia, New South Wales. 5) A 'rough' assay report on sample quartz drillings from quartz reef submitted by H. Morris, Egerton, and an sample of quartz and pyrites for determination by Professor Krause submitted by R.M. Serjeant. ballarat school of mines, a.c. allan, brittania g.m. co., s. body, black horse company, john m. bickett, william bell, james barker, w. bliss, w. bailey, william barrou, w.h. batten, w. bechervaise, band and albion, budd bros, charles barker, i. cahir, a. chamber, w. cahill, james coglan, d. clarke, a.w. dobbie, john dosett, john dunstan, j.a. evans, l. eggleton, charles forbes, d. fitzpatrick, e. ford, michael goold, j. graham, john greenwood, james hayes, ed hardy, arthur harvey, george hodges, john hall, jubilee gold mining company, krause, luplau, lempiere, mt lyell co, john law, ed meadway, john murray, j.h. middleton, c.m. miles, m. muir, e. mcmillan, w. mcdougall, c. napier, w.r. nicholls, napier freehold, w.b, ochiltree, oakleigh gold mining company, dr pinnock, c. quin, james ross, c.b. retallack, e. rowlands, royal standard, linton, frank rabling, william russell, charles soloman, f. selby, w.j. scott, sulieman pasha co, south clunes united, h.w. sinclair, george selby, e.h. schroeder, horsham, e.w. spain, c.h. sheary, sir henry loch gold mining company, a. sutherland, saxon consols, j.b. triggs, h. townsend, harold turnley, c. taylor, melbourne, c. thorpe, a. vandenberg, charles walker, charles wilson, thomas wellington, a. wynne, r. warne, e. wattis, john wood, walter warner, armidale, c. winterbottom, w.l. willliams, j.c. young

These rectangular slates of 'beautiful, unusual, expensive, green' American roof tiles were recovered from the wreck of the Falls of Halladale. Salvaging began in 1974 by volunteer divers, using local cray-fishing boats. An efficient system was devised to recover up to 4,000 of the still neatly packed slates a day. Many of the 22,000 salvaged slates can be seen on the roofs of eight buildings in the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The iron-hulled, four-masted barque, the Falls of Halladale (1886 - 1908), was a bulk carrier of general cargo. She left New York in August 1908 on her way to Melbourne and Sydney. In her hold, along with 56,763 tiles of unusual beautiful green American slates (roof tiles), 5,673 coils of barbed wire, 600 stoves, 500 sewing machines, 6500 gallons of oil, 14400 gallons of benzene, and many other manufactured items, were 117 cases of crockery and glassware. Three months later and close to her destination, a navigational error caused the Falls of Halladale to be wrecked on a reef off the Peterborough headland at 3 am on the morning of the 15th of November, 1908. The captain and 29 crew members all survived, but her valuable cargo was largely lost, despite two salvage attempts in 1908-09 and 1910. The ship stayed in full sail on the rocky shelf for nearly two months, attracting hundreds of sightseers who watched her slowly disintegrate until the pounding seas and dynamiting by salvagers finally broke her back, and her remains disappeared back into deeper water. The shipwreck is a popular site for divers, about 300m offshore and in 3 – 15m of water. Some of the original cargo can be seen at the site, including pieces of roof slate and coils of barbed wire.The Falls of Halladale shipwreck is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register (No. S255). She was one of the last ships to sail the Trade Routes. She is one of the first vessels to have fore and aft lifting bridges. She is an example of the remains of an International Cargo Ship and also represents aspects of Victoria’s shipping industry The wreck is protected as a Historic Shipwreck under the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act (1976).Rectangular slates of green American roof tiles, some with a red-brown stain. These are a sample of hundreds of slate roof tiles salvaged from the vessel FALLS of HALLADALENoneflagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, maritime village, great ocean road, shipwreck coast, cargo, slate, slate tile, green american slates, building material, wreck point, peterborough, bay of islands, russell & co., 1908 shipwreck, salvage, recover

Stapled folder containing handwritten inventory of historic items collected for school fund-raising exhibition.Column headings include name of collector, type of item, and record of payment of 3d/per item entry fee. Sample of exhibit items include personal and household items, geological specimens, weaponry, and taxidermry. (Prizes for oldest exhibit and most unusual or most original exhibit categories advertised but results not recorded.)

Map, Hustler's Line of Reefs, K.K.Mine,Transverse section.Plate No.XXX11(32).Geological Survey of Victoria.Bulletin 33.Signed H.A.Whitelaw. Drawing shows the vertical shaft descending to over 1932 feet and appears to show samples of connecting horizontal shafts with their respective mineral contents and dotted lines appear to show connecting reefs .Underground Survey Office, Bendigo,map, bendigo, k.k.mine

The Maddingley area of Bacchus Marsh was surveyed for brown coal deposits in the 1930s. By the early 1940s brown coal in large quantities was being extracted and was transported to Melbourne where it was used to fire boilers for the Australian Paper Mills (APM) company. By the 1970s APM was using natural gas instead of coal. Maddingley brown coal was then used to fire boilers for the CRA/VISY cardboard factory at Bacchus Marsh. This factory closed down in 1990. During the 1990s the mine was acquired by the Calleja family company who ran transport and waste management operations.The Maddingley Brown coal mine was a major industry in Bacchus Marsh for 50 years. A sample of coal from the mine is a reminder of the importance of this local industry over an extended period of time.Two cylindrical plastic containers mounted on rectangular baseSample of pulverised brown coal produced from Maddingley brown coal deposit located at Bacchus Marsh Victoria, October 1981. Moisture content 12% - Specific energy - 22 GJ/Tonne - Particle size - 25% +90 Microncoal mines, mining, brown coal, maddingley brown coal mine

Dendrites are deposits of black minerals, typically manganese oxides that precipitated from water seeping through fractures in fine-grain rocks like a sandstone or limestone. Dendrites are much less regular than plant fossils and lacks vein structures. The manganese cryztallizes through the process called 'supercooling'. Some samples of dendrites occur in volcanic rocks in the Lilydale district, east of Melbourne. Sandstones are made of tiny sand grains that may have been deposited in the sea and later formed together. Most sandstones are made of quartz which are chemically-resistant minerals. This particular specimen was donated by Alfred Selwyn in 1868 as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria. It is connected to the original 1875 catalogue on Geological Specimen with number 189 'Quartz Crystals_Quartz Crystals (two are polished)'Dendrites on sandstones This specimen is an important contribution to the geological history of Victoria, as well as its links to the 1868 Geological Survey of Victoria. This specimen is part of larger collection of significant geological specimens in the Burke Museum that was collected from around the world between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collection as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria 1852-1974. The Geological Survey of Victoria was an organisation founded in response to the Victorian gold rush to explore the geological and mineral resources and to record a detailed map of the state. It was headed by British geologist, Alfred Richard Cecil Selwyn (1824-1902), who was responsible for issuing over 60 geological maps during his 17 years as director. These maps were all hand-drawn and coloured and became the benchmark for accuracy for geological mapping. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A hand-sized slice of light brown sandstone with dendrites formed from crystallized manganese oxide.Existing label: Not sure what / 'Slica dondrites' / means. / Sample is sandstone and original label / identifies it as from / the Grampians near Stawell. / C. Willman / 15/4/21 Other label: [illegible] / stone [ illegible] / from Grampians Stawell / 1894 /geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, dendrites, sandstones, quartz, lilydale district, geological survey of victoria, grampians, victoria rocks, minerals, rocks, manganese oxides, alfred selwyn

Galena is the natural compound of lead and classed as a sulphide, it crystallises in a cubic pattern and its chemical formula is PbS. Galena is a primary source of both lead and silver. This specimen of Galena comes from Broken Hill. Broken Hill has one of the world’s largest and most significant deposit of ore for the production of lead. Mining of Galena at Broken Hill began with the staking of land by Charles Rasp in 1883. By the following year, in 1884, Rasp and six others had formed Broken Hill Mining Company. Broken Hill Mining Company eventually evolved into BHP group limited and is currently the largest mining company in the world and the largest company in Australia. There is archaeological evidence from artefacts discovered in Turkey that humans have been extracting lead from galena by the process of smelting since at least 6500 BCE. This specimen also has quartz on the top surface which is frequently discovered alongside Galena. This mineral specimen is of historic significance as a sample of Galena extracted from Broken Hill during the 19th century. Mining for Galena in Broken Hill begin in 1883 by Charles Rasp and evolved into the world’s largest mining company – BHP Group Limited. Broken Hill is one of the world’s most significant deposits of ore for the production of lead. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A flat, hand-sized, grey sulphide specimen that is the natural compound of lead with a quartz formation on the top surface. Existing Label: GALENA / (with quartz) / Locality: Broken Hill / N.S.W 120 x 70 x 29geological specimen, geology, geology collection, burke museum, beechworth, galena, galena quartz, quartz, charles rasp, broken hill mining company, bhp group limited, bhp, lead, ore, lead sulphide, sulphide, silver, broken hill