̽��ֱ��Magna Carta of scientific maps

sjr81 — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 23:01:40 +0000

William Smith’s 1815 Geological Map of England and Wales, which measures 8.5ft x 6ft, demonstrated for the first time the geology of the UK and was the culmination of years of work by Smith, who was shunned by the scientific community for many years and ended up in debtors’ prison.

Today, exactly 200 years since its first publication, a copy of Smith’s map – rediscovered after more than a century in a museum box – will go on public display at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences. Aside from a copy held at ̽��ֱ��Geological Society in London, the Cambridge map is believed to be the only such map on public display anywhere in the world.

̽��ֱ��iconic map, which is still used as the basis of geological maps to this day, had the greatest influence on the science of geology, inspiring a generation of naturalists and fledgling geologists to establish geology as a coherent, robust and important science. ̽��ֱ��map was so large, that, for practicality's sake, it was often sold in 15 separate sheets, either loose, or in a leather travelling case.

Museum Director Ken McNamara said: “This is the world’s earliest geological map. Smith was working from a position of no knowledge when he began. Nobody had ever attempted this before and it’s really quite staggering what this one man achieved over ten or fifteen years, travelling up and down the country as a canal surveyor.

“It’s incredibly accurate, even now in 2015. If you compare the current geological map of Great Britain today there are amazing similarities. ̽��ֱ��British Geological Survey still uses the same colour scheme that Smith devised. Chalk is green. Limestone is yellow and it’s still done like that to this day.”

“This started geology as a modern science. It’s like the Magna Carta of geology, the beginnings of geology as a modern science and that’s why it’s so important.”

Smith’s map proudly announced itself to the world as: "A DELINEATION of the STRATA of ENGLAND and WALES with part of SCOTLAND; exhibiting the COLLIERIES and MINES; the MARSHES and FEN LANDS ORIGINALLY OVERFLOWED BY THE SEA; and the VARIETIES of Soil according to the Variations in the Substrata; ILLUSTRATED by the MOST DESCRIPTIVE NAMES".

How many of Smith's great maps still exist is unclear. Around 70 are thought to remain worldwide. ̽��ֱ��Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge, the oldest geological museum in the world, is lucky enough to have three copies.

For many years the museum knew that it possessed two of Smith's great maps: one a set of 15 sheets bound together as a book; the other, beautifully preserved, nestles in its leather travelling case. Two years ago, in May 2013, a third copy was rediscovered in the collection. Found folded in a box with some other early geological maps, staff believe it had not seen the light of day since Queen Victoria was on the throne.

Despite its decades hidden from view, the hand-coloured map had been exposed to harsh light for many years before being packed away. ̽��ֱ��colours were faded, the paper stained and it carried the stains of faecal deposits from long dead spiders and flies.

̽��ֱ��map was then conserved by experts at Duxford, near Cambridge. Nineteenth century dirt and grime was carefully removed, then the original, faded water-colour paint was given a protective coating and subtly restored to enhance the colour of the rock formations. Only 400 were ever produced over at least a four-year period. During that time, Smith continued his geological research and continually made new discoveries, adapting and amending each new edition as he went along. Each individual map took seven or eight days to be coloured.

McNamara said: “Smith suffered many deprivations in his life. He became a bankrupt and ended up in debtor's prison for a while. Perhaps, almost as galling, he was largely ignored by the geological establishment. However, he gained his due recognition from the Geological Society of London later in life when, in 1831, he was the first person to receive the society's most prestigious medal, the Wollaston Medal.

“Appropriately, given the hanging of his map in the Sedgwick Museum, it was Adam Sedgwick who presented Smith with his medal. We are, we think, the only museum, library or art gallery in the world to have one of Smith’s legendary maps on public display – and we want as many people as possible to come and see this enormous, iconic and beautiful map for themselves.”

One of the most important maps of the UK ever made – described as the ‘Magna Carta of geology’ – is to go on permanent public display in Cambridge after being restored to its former glory.

This is the world’s earliest geological map.

Ken McNamara

big mapv1

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Yes

Rightmove: a T-rex called Clare finds a perfect home

amb206 — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 13:00:00 +0000

There was never any debate about her name: it had to be Clare. She is a metal sculpture of a T-rex, and she made a spectacular debut as the centrepiece for last summer’s Clare College May Ball which had a ‘primordial’ theme.

̽��ֱ��puzzle of what to do with the sculpture once the celebrations were over was solved when the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences expressed an interest in homing her.

̽��ֱ��morning after the party, the model T-rex was trundled through the centre of Cambridge by a posse of dinosaur-attendants clad in high-vis tabards. She has seen out the winter hidden in a corner of the Downing Site.

Now Clare has found a permanent home outside the entrance to the historic Sedgwick Museum, the oldest geological museum in the world, where she is likely to become one of Cambridge’s best loved landmarks.

Clare was formally welcomed to her new stamping ground earlier today (30 January 2015). ̽��ֱ��unveiling was attended by Clare’s creator, the sculptor Ian Curran, along with members of Clare College and the Department of Earth Sciences.

Sedgwick Museum director, Ken McNamara said: “ ̽��ֱ��sculpture will add to the excitement experienced by visitors as they arrive to see our unique collection. It includes thousands of fossils, including dinosaur remains and a life-size Iguanodon.”

̽��ֱ��model is a half-size artistic representation of the iconic T-rex, a species which lived 66-68 million years ago. It was made by Curran in his Doncaster workshop and travelled down the A1 to Cambridge on the back of a lorry.

Curran said: “It's tremendous to see one of my sculptures in such a prestigious location. I'm thrilled that the Sedgewick Museum has her on display where she will be seen by so many more families.

“Normally my work is displayed on my front lawn for the benefit of local children and the grandparents who bring them, so this wider audience is an absolute thrill.”

Cambridge gained a new landmark when Clare, a sculpture of a T-rex, was unveiled at the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences earlier today.

̽��ֱ��sculpture will add to the excitement experienced by visitors as they arrive to see our unique collection.

Ken McNamara

̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge

A T-rex called Clare settles into her new home outside the Sedgwick Museum

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page. For image rights, please see the credits associated with each individual image.

Yes

̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - Ken McNamara

̽��ֱ��Magna Carta of scientific maps

big mapv1

Rightmove: a T-rex called Clare finds a perfect home