Palaeontology collection
NSW Department of Primary Industries - Mineral Resources is custodian of the state's Palaeontological Reference Collections, the major component of which is the macrofossil collection comprising approximately 44 000 specimens. Important accessory fossil collections from New South Wales localities held by Mineral Resources are devoted to palynology (plant spores and pollen, some 8600 catalogued samples) and microfossils (mainly conodonts and foraminifera, about 4200 catalogued specimens). Current biostratigraphic emphasis is on conodont extraction from limestones and cherts collected during the regional mapping program of the state. The Palaeontology Reference Collections are one of the largest public-owned fossil collections in the state, second only to those curated by the Australian Museum.
The value of the Mineral Resources collections derives from their significance as key biostratigraphic tools providing the basis of the stratigraphy of New South Wales. They are very much an applied resource, with emphasis on extensive, diverse samples from particular stratigraphic horizons and localities, many of which are no longer accessible. Examples include Silurian brachiopods from Molong, Pleistocene marsupials from Bingara, and type specimens of many Triassic fish from Sydney region sites since destroyed. The famous Talbragar fish and plant beds, of Jurassic age, are represented by a bulk sample probably larger than the remaining outcrop. Another important scientific asset is the greatest number of Glossopteris holotypes in the world. Many other type specimens reside in the macrofossil collection, having been described in hundreds of scientific research papers and monographs.
Another important scientific asset is the greatest number of Glossopteris holotypes in the world. Many other type specimens reside in the collection, having been described in hundreds of research papers published within and outside the Department.
Important accessory fossil collections from New South Wales localities are devoted to palynology (8600 catalogued samples) and microfossils (conodont and foraminifera, about 2500 catalogued specimens). Current biostratigraphic emphasis is on conodont extraction from limestones collected during the regional mapping program of the state.
Access to the Reference Collections
Specimens from the Palaeontological Reference Collections are available for loan under stringent conditions to recognised educational institutions, public museums, industry associations, and mining companies, for the purposes of research or display. Details of loan criteria may be obtained from the Specialist Geological Services section of the Geological Survey of NSW (contact Dr Ian Percival, Principal Research Scientist, Londonderry Centre, phone (02) 4777-0315 or fax (02) 4777-4397).
Under special circumstances (and subject to rigorous security provisions), specimens may also be hired for promotional purposes.
History of the Mineral and Fossil Collections
The state's Economic Mineral Collection and the Palaeontological Reference Collections date from 1883, after all the natural history collections of New South Wales were destroyed in the Garden Palace fire the preceding year. The best specimens from both collections were previously displayed for many years at the Geological and Mining Museum in George Street North (under the southern approaches to the Sydney Harbour Bridge). When that institution became the Earth Exchange in the late 1980s, the most spectacular minerals formed the centrepiece of the Hall of Treasures, occupying the 4th floor of the building. Both collections were moved from the Earth Exchange upon its closure in late 1995, firstly to the Mineral Resources Laboratories at Lidcombe, and more recently to Londonderry in western Sydney. The separate Albert Chapman Collection of Minerals, formerly exhibited at the Earth Exchange, was transferred to the Australian Museum where it is now again on public display.
Publications by NSW DPI officers
A comprehensive list of palaeontological publications by NSW DPI officers.