Show Notes
Director David Ellis joins Dr Craig Barker to discuss his love of mineralogy and the remarkable history of a mineral from deep in the earth’s past, and its journey from Broken Hill to the Chau Chak Wing Museum.
Cerussite is a mineral consisting of lead carbonate and as such is an important ore of lead. Indeed the name is based on the Latin word cerussa or white lead. Cerussite mineral specimens can also be extraordinarily beautiful and highly valued by collectors. The specimen David has chosen for this episode is no different. Acquired at Broken Hill in New South Wales in the 1890s, it passed through several hands before ending up at the University of Sydney.
The specimen represents the important role the teaching of geology at the University of Sydney from the 1860s onwards had in Australia’s economic and social history. David also takes on the journey from the conception of a new museum for the University’s collections, to the opening of the new institution and his vision for the Chau Chak Wing Museum.
Specimen: Cerussite, collected in 1890s by Edward William Aldridge, Macleay Collections (SC2010.25)
Host: Dr Craig Barker, Head, Public Engagement, Chau Chak Wing Museum and Director, Paphos Theatre Archaeological Excavations. Follow @DrCraig_B on Twitter and Instagram.
Guest: David Ellis, Director, Chau Chak Wing Museum.
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