Session T79 History and Philosophy of Geology
Found in the collection: histories revealed
Research using geological collections in museums, universities, and parks encompasses more than object name and location. Studying these collections for scientific revision, for digital conversion or for exhibit planning takes the researcher to associated historical documents and publications in order to reconstruct their stories. From disputes and discussion of taxonomic classification found in correspondence, to biographies of the scientists and collectors, to the stories from field collecting, the research traces a neglected part of the history of geoscience. Often this deep research is reduced to a summary paragraph in a paper, a brief mention on an exhibit label or a more accurate record in a database.
In this session we would like to provide a space for this research to be presented and highlight the interaction between history and geoscience. Contributions on the aspects outlined above are welcomed.