| Georg Agricola: The Father of Mineralogy |
| "I have omitted all those things which I have not myself seen, or have not read or heard of from persons upon whom I can rely. That which I have neither seen, nor carefully considered after reading or hearing of, I have not written about. The same rule must be understood with regard to all my instruction, whether I enjoin things which ought to be done, or describe things which are usual, or condemn things which are done." Agricola, 1556 |
In Italy, he befriended the great scholar Erasmus. Upon returning to Zwickau in 1527, he was
appointed town physician at Joachimsthal, a center of mining and smelting works, where he began
intensive studies about mineralogy by careful observation of ores and the methods of their treatment
which he then constructed into a logical system which he began to publish in 1528.
appointed town physician at Joachimsthal, a center of mining and smelting works, where he began
intensive studies about mineralogy by careful observation of ores and the methods of their treatment
which he then constructed into a logical system which he began to publish in 1528.
His most famous work, De re metallica libri xii, 1556, is a systematic treatise on mining and
metallurgy, illustrated with many fine and interesting woodcuts. In an appendix, he put German
equivalents for the technical terms used in the Latin text (Agricola wrote in Latin even though it was
at the time a dying language). Aside from his job as a diplomat, Agricola was not very politically
minded, although in 1529 he gave a very popular and widely distributed "Turkish Speech" calling for
an end to political and religious friction and urging the Holy Roman emperor Ferdinand I to begin a
war against the Turks as a patriotic measure.
metallurgy, illustrated with many fine and interesting woodcuts. In an appendix, he put German
equivalents for the technical terms used in the Latin text (Agricola wrote in Latin even though it was
at the time a dying language). Aside from his job as a diplomat, Agricola was not very politically
minded, although in 1529 he gave a very popular and widely distributed "Turkish Speech" calling for
an end to political and religious friction and urging the Holy Roman emperor Ferdinand I to begin a
war against the Turks as a patriotic measure.
Some exiles Salzburger miners mixed in with the Bohemian Exulanten in Saxony, taking their skills with them. Many were
traditionally good woodworkers and they worked for and established wooden clock and toy making businesses, but
some became musical instrument makers. While the most valuable instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries are today
all thought as Italian, many of the “Italian” makers, such as Steiner, Goffriller, and Tecchler, were actually German.
German immigrants started the violin and lute making traditions in much of Italy even as far back as the 15th century. The
Saxon town of Füssen was among the earliest instrument-making centers and the birthplace of German violin making by
around 1546. Their crafters also made gambas, lutes (derived from “luthier”) and most other stringed instruments,
including experimental creations. Many luthiers of Füssen were victims of the Thirty Years War or religious persecution
and forced to flee, and the art of luthiery was spread to the many towns they settled in. Many of the centers of European
violin making that began in these places in the 17th century trace their history directly to these origins. Klingenthal, Saxony
was home to the cottage industry of carving instrument parts at home. Near Klingenthal, in the region known today as
Vogtland, farmers from neighboring Frankonia and western Thuringia, together with some settlers from what is today the
Upper Palatinate, settled in this hilly, forested land.
traditionally good woodworkers and they worked for and established wooden clock and toy making businesses, but
some became musical instrument makers. While the most valuable instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries are today
all thought as Italian, many of the “Italian” makers, such as Steiner, Goffriller, and Tecchler, were actually German.
German immigrants started the violin and lute making traditions in much of Italy even as far back as the 15th century. The
Saxon town of Füssen was among the earliest instrument-making centers and the birthplace of German violin making by
around 1546. Their crafters also made gambas, lutes (derived from “luthier”) and most other stringed instruments,
including experimental creations. Many luthiers of Füssen were victims of the Thirty Years War or religious persecution
and forced to flee, and the art of luthiery was spread to the many towns they settled in. Many of the centers of European
violin making that began in these places in the 17th century trace their history directly to these origins. Klingenthal, Saxony
was home to the cottage industry of carving instrument parts at home. Near Klingenthal, in the region known today as
Vogtland, farmers from neighboring Frankonia and western Thuringia, together with some settlers from what is today the
Upper Palatinate, settled in this hilly, forested land.
Agricola noted that music played an important role in the miners' lives, and indeed, the music of the
miners of Schneeberg mountain was published in Nurnberg in 16th century. Only 3 pieces survived.
miners of Schneeberg mountain was published in Nurnberg in 16th century. Only 3 pieces survived.
Environmentally conscious Agricola stated that: "When the woods and groves
are felled, then are exterminated the beasts and birds, very many of which
furnish a pleasant and agreeable food for man. Further, when the ores are
washed, the water which has been used poisons the brooks and streams, and
either destroys the fish or drives them away. Therefore the inhabitants of these
regions find great difficulty in procuring the necessities of life " (De Re
Metallica )
Miners of his time wore a smock with belt, breeches, a short apron, and a
pointy cap. Garden gnomes are modeled after these medieval miners!
Agricola was years ahead of his time in the area of workplace hazards,
and he recommended protective long leather gloves for work with aggressive
minerals, a face veil to screen from dangerous dusts and high rawhide boots
for workers standing in water. Agricola recommended that mines have 5 day
work week with 3 shifts of 8 hours each per day; he also recommended doing
away with the late (3rd) shift and that miners should not work two shifts per
day because of the increased risk of injury.
are felled, then are exterminated the beasts and birds, very many of which
furnish a pleasant and agreeable food for man. Further, when the ores are
washed, the water which has been used poisons the brooks and streams, and
either destroys the fish or drives them away. Therefore the inhabitants of these
regions find great difficulty in procuring the necessities of life " (De Re
Metallica )
Miners of his time wore a smock with belt, breeches, a short apron, and a
pointy cap. Garden gnomes are modeled after these medieval miners!
Agricola was years ahead of his time in the area of workplace hazards,
and he recommended protective long leather gloves for work with aggressive
minerals, a face veil to screen from dangerous dusts and high rawhide boots
for workers standing in water. Agricola recommended that mines have 5 day
work week with 3 shifts of 8 hours each per day; he also recommended doing
away with the late (3rd) shift and that miners should not work two shifts per
day because of the increased risk of injury.
It is said he died from a stroke brought on by a heated argument with a Protestant at Chemnitz on
November 21, 1555. De Re Metallica was unequalled for two centuries. 1n 1912, the exceedingly
difficult task of creating an English translation was accomplished by American mining engineer,
Herbert Hoover, the former President of the United States, and his wife Lou Henry Hoover. It is
interesting that Hoover's family name was originally Huber, and he was of German ancestry. Hoover
stated that Agricola was "the first to found any of the natural sciences upon research and observation,
as opposed to previous fruitless speculation."
November 21, 1555. De Re Metallica was unequalled for two centuries. 1n 1912, the exceedingly
difficult task of creating an English translation was accomplished by American mining engineer,
Herbert Hoover, the former President of the United States, and his wife Lou Henry Hoover. It is
interesting that Hoover's family name was originally Huber, and he was of German ancestry. Hoover
stated that Agricola was "the first to found any of the natural sciences upon research and observation,
as opposed to previous fruitless speculation."
Georg Agricola, a contemporary of Copernicus and Luther, is regarded as the father of mineralogy.
Born George Bauer at Glauchau, Agricola was, like Martin Luther, a Saxon.
Born George Bauer at Glauchau, Agricola was, like Martin Luther, a Saxon.
Agricola's dialogue Bermannus, sive de re metallica dialogus was the first scientific writing of its kind
and brought Agricola recognition. Partly in the hope of finding new drugs among the local ores and
minerals, he visited mines and smelting plants, talked to the better educated miners, and read classical
authors on mining. Bermannus was based upon information obtained from conversations with the
"learned miner" Lorenz Berman during his time at Joachimsthal.
and brought Agricola recognition. Partly in the hope of finding new drugs among the local ores and
minerals, he visited mines and smelting plants, talked to the better educated miners, and read classical
authors on mining. Bermannus was based upon information obtained from conversations with the
"learned miner" Lorenz Berman during his time at Joachimsthal.
In 1533, he went to the center of the mining industry in Chemnitz as town physician and published a
book about Greek and Roman weights and measures. He was soon elected burgmeister. However,
Agricola was a staunch Catholic and Chemnitz was a hotbed of the new Protestant movement, and
he was forced to resign. He authored a historical work in 1544 and then laid the first foundations of a
physical geology criticizing the theories of the ancients in De ortu et causis subterraneorum. In 1545,
1546 and 1548, he published important studies about the discovery and occurrence of minerals.
book about Greek and Roman weights and measures. He was soon elected burgmeister. However,
Agricola was a staunch Catholic and Chemnitz was a hotbed of the new Protestant movement, and
he was forced to resign. He authored a historical work in 1544 and then laid the first foundations of a
physical geology criticizing the theories of the ancients in De ortu et causis subterraneorum. In 1545,
1546 and 1548, he published important studies about the discovery and occurrence of minerals.
Agricola observed that rocks were in strata of a consistent order, and that these layers could be
traced over a wide area. This was one of the first contributions to stratigraphic geology and in
understanding the arrangement and origins of the rocks of the Earth. Unlike previous writings on
rocks and minerals, Agricola classified them not alphabetically or by their mystical powers, but by
simple physical properties. He gave standardized names to various minerals, recorded their
appearance and the localities where they could be found. He also noted fossils might vary in color
and appearances in different locations. Agricola's geological writings reflect an immense amount of
study and first-hand observation, not just of rocks and minerals, but of every aspect of mining
technology and practice of the time.
traced over a wide area. This was one of the first contributions to stratigraphic geology and in
understanding the arrangement and origins of the rocks of the Earth. Unlike previous writings on
rocks and minerals, Agricola classified them not alphabetically or by their mystical powers, but by
simple physical properties. He gave standardized names to various minerals, recorded their
appearance and the localities where they could be found. He also noted fossils might vary in color
and appearances in different locations. Agricola's geological writings reflect an immense amount of
study and first-hand observation, not just of rocks and minerals, but of every aspect of mining
technology and practice of the time.
When Vogtland fell under the rule of communist East Germany, there was active suppression of cultural arts, but since
reunification, the violin and bow makers of area have experienced a revival. In Germany today, the guild system, long
gone in the rest of Europe, still exists, and it is a crime to purport to be a violin or bow maker if one is not a member of
the guild. Communist occupation after 1945 polluted the Erzgebirge region from Uranium mining, and the small cottage
industries and agriculture were collectivized. Many mountain forests were stripped or suffer from acid rain.
reunification, the violin and bow makers of area have experienced a revival. In Germany today, the guild system, long
gone in the rest of Europe, still exists, and it is a crime to purport to be a violin or bow maker if one is not a member of
the guild. Communist occupation after 1945 polluted the Erzgebirge region from Uranium mining, and the small cottage
industries and agriculture were collectivized. Many mountain forests were stripped or suffer from acid rain.
The Saxon Erzgebirge at one time formed the mountainous border between Bohemia and Saxony,
and the old trade routes from Franconia to Silesia passed through the old cities of Zwickau, Freiberg
and Chemnitz in the northern foothills and led over the mountains into Bohemia. In the 12th century,
Zwickau's position on the old highway, as well as its intermediate position between Leipzig and
Prague on the other side of the Erzgebirge, brought in new settlers from Franconia and the Rhine
who, lured by promises of money and freedom, settled on the uninhabited mountainsides along the
river valleys and high passes of the Erzgebirge in long, thin farmsteads. Protected by royal fortified
structures, villages such as Stein, Wildenfels, Hartenstein, Schwarzenberg and Hoheneck formed the
western Erzgebirge; Scharfenstein, Zschopau, Wolkenstein and Rauenstein, the central Erzgebirge;
and Lauenstein, Frauenstein, Berenstein and Dohna, the eastern.
and the old trade routes from Franconia to Silesia passed through the old cities of Zwickau, Freiberg
and Chemnitz in the northern foothills and led over the mountains into Bohemia. In the 12th century,
Zwickau's position on the old highway, as well as its intermediate position between Leipzig and
Prague on the other side of the Erzgebirge, brought in new settlers from Franconia and the Rhine
who, lured by promises of money and freedom, settled on the uninhabited mountainsides along the
river valleys and high passes of the Erzgebirge in long, thin farmsteads. Protected by royal fortified
structures, villages such as Stein, Wildenfels, Hartenstein, Schwarzenberg and Hoheneck formed the
western Erzgebirge; Scharfenstein, Zschopau, Wolkenstein and Rauenstein, the central Erzgebirge;
and Lauenstein, Frauenstein, Berenstein and Dohna, the eastern.
After large silver deposits were discovered in Schneeberg in 1470, the settlements of Schneeberg,
Annaberg and Marienberg formed along with the mines, and 8,000 people lived in Schneeberg by
1500. The Berggeschrei or call-of-the-mountain lured more immigrants from Franconia, and while
these settlers were allowed to freely prospect, a Bergrechts or mountain tithe had to be paid. The
town of Marienberg was planned in a chess board fashion in 1521 after a sizable silver deposit was
found in 1519. Annaberg, the center of the upper Erzgebirge, had a similar influx of settlers in 1492
when silver was found at Schreckenberg, and by 1540 it had a population of 12,000. As Annaberg
developed, a mint was established and technological advances greatly modernized the mining
industry. Georg Aricola was at the forefront of these great advances. Image of Annaberg Alter
Annaberg and Marienberg formed along with the mines, and 8,000 people lived in Schneeberg by
1500. The Berggeschrei or call-of-the-mountain lured more immigrants from Franconia, and while
these settlers were allowed to freely prospect, a Bergrechts or mountain tithe had to be paid. The
town of Marienberg was planned in a chess board fashion in 1521 after a sizable silver deposit was
found in 1519. Annaberg, the center of the upper Erzgebirge, had a similar influx of settlers in 1492
when silver was found at Schreckenberg, and by 1540 it had a population of 12,000. As Annaberg
developed, a mint was established and technological advances greatly modernized the mining
industry. Georg Aricola was at the forefront of these great advances. Image of Annaberg Alter
The Annaberg silver mining industry declined towards the end of the 16th century and the lovely,
rich city burned almost completely in 1604. A new lace industry developed there. Marienberg, like
the others in the region, declined between the 17th and 19th centuries. It was not suitable for
farmland, and the people began manufacturing wood products, toys and even stockings. When the
railroad came to the Erzgebirge in 1858, it made it accessible for tourists.
rich city burned almost completely in 1604. A new lace industry developed there. Marienberg, like
the others in the region, declined between the 17th and 19th centuries. It was not suitable for
farmland, and the people began manufacturing wood products, toys and even stockings. When the
railroad came to the Erzgebirge in 1858, it made it accessible for tourists.
Agricola's greatest work, De Re Metallica, carefully depicted and described all facets of mining from
ores to mining machinery. Intellectually gifted, he was appointed Rector extraordinarius of Greek at
the Great School of Zwickau by age twenty and began philosophic writing. Soon, he went to Leipzig
as rector and began to study medicine, physics and chemistry. From 1524 to 1526, he travelled to
Italy where he took his doctor's degree. He studied medicine, natural science, and philosophy in
Bologna and Padua, then clinical studies in Venice.
ores to mining machinery. Intellectually gifted, he was appointed Rector extraordinarius of Greek at
the Great School of Zwickau by age twenty and began philosophic writing. Soon, he went to Leipzig
as rector and began to study medicine, physics and chemistry. From 1524 to 1526, he travelled to
Italy where he took his doctor's degree. He studied medicine, natural science, and philosophy in
Bologna and Padua, then clinical studies in Venice.